Valance and Wintour Host Rival Trump-Biden Fundraisers in London
The US election campaign made a splash in London on Wednesday evening with Australian pop star Holly Valance and Vogue editor Anna Wintour hosting competing fundraising events for Donald Trump and Joe Biden, respectively.
Valance, known for her early 2000s hit “Kiss Kiss,” took the lead for Trump supporters in West London, with ticket prices starting at $10,000 (£7,800), according to a guest who spoke with the BBC. Meanwhile, Wintour’s Biden fundraiser had a more modest entry fee of $1,000 per ticket, as confirmed by a Biden campaign official.
Only US citizens and permanent residents were permitted to donate. Among the notable attendees at the Republican event was Donald Trump Jr., who hailed the event as “incredible” and boasted about the significant funds raised, CBS News reported. Commenting on Hunter Biden’s guilty verdict, he described it as a distraction from the alleged corruption of the Biden administration.
Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party and a known Trump ally, also attended the Trump event. Greg Swenson, chairman of Republicans Overseas, revealed that tickets ranged from $10,000 to $100,000, with a dinner option costing $50,000 per couple. Despite the high prices, Swenson emphasized that Republicans remain the “party of the people,” contrasting it with the hefty fees of Democratic events.
Highlighting the upscale nature of the venue near Chelsea Embankment, guests were greeted by a suited man with an umbrella at the polished black gates of the property, which features a wine cellar, swimming pool, spa, and IMAX cinema.
However, not all nearby shared the enthusiasm for Trump; a woman with an American accent was heard shouting “Vote Biden” from a nearby building.
Trump’s campaign, lagging in overall fundraising compared to Biden’s, saw a surge in small donations following Trump’s recent conviction in a New York hush-money trial. Swenson noted that Americans were “shocked at the justice system,” leading to the influx of donations.
Valance, 41, who has been associated with Trump and Farage since a 2022 photograph with them and her husband, entrepreneur Nick Candy, hosted the high-profile event at a luxurious venue described as a “hub for entertainment and relaxation.”
There was no immediate response from the Candy Foundation, the couple’s charity, regarding the event.
On the other hand, details about Wintour’s Democratic fundraiser were scarce. Sharon Manitta, global press secretary for Democrats Abroad, clarified that the timing of these rival events was purely coincidental. She also mentioned another event organized by Democrats Abroad, a comedy night in Greenwich, with tickets priced at $60. “We figure we need a bit of comedy now in this craziness,.”
