Dallas

President Trump Attends Hurricane Recovery Briefing, Campaign Fundraisers in Dallas

Trump praised the Texas hurricane recovery efforts in a briefing with Gov. Abbott at Love Field

President Donald Trump visited Dallas Wednesday afternoon for fundraisers benefiting his campaign and the Republican National Committee.

Donors at the events were asked to contribute between $2,700 to $100,000 per person. A photo with Trump costs $35,000 per person.

Trump was expected to raise $4 million at fundraisers. The event for 200 guests at Belo Mansion also featured RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel and some guests paid up to $100,000 to attend.

The president's Dallas visit was originally scheduled for Sept. 27, but was rescheduled due to Hurricane Harvey.

According to organizers, only donors in Houston and Los Angeles contributed more to the president's 2016 campaign than Dallas.

About three dozen protesters, including members of the Texas Organizing Project, gathered outside the event center.

Before heading to the fundraiser, Trump participated in a briefing with Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick at Dallas Love Field, pointing to "tremendous success" in Texas' work to recover from Hurricane Harvey.

Trump praised all of the emergency responders in the aftermath of the devastating hurricane that dumped record rainfall on areas around Houston and flooded thousands of homes as it lingered for days in late August.

"We've had a tremendous success in the state of Texas," Trump said.

Abbott credited Trump for returning to Texas to assess recovery efforts.

"He continues to show his commitment to helping Texans respond to the disaster of Hurricane Harvey and the flooding events. He has seen firsthand the challenges that Texans face," Abbott said.

Trump noted that Texas has long been at risk for hurricanes and flooding and said the state and federal government should "look at the concept of a more permanent solution because you do get inundated and it's been going on for decades."

"Let's take a look at the cost and see if it's possible to do, because that would save a lot of money into the future and it would also put a lot of people to work," Trump said.

The president, who earned his fortune in New York City real estate, spoke of the benefits of using greenboard in buildings because it is more water resistant than typical drywall. He described it as "a little more expensive than sheetrock" but might be useful in hurricane zones.

"I'm the builder president," Trump said.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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