New York, Oct. 31, (tca/dpa/GNA) – It’s checkout time for the president President Donald Trump told reporters Friday that he will “probably” scrap a planned election night party at his namesake Washington, DC, hotel and blamed the city’s mayor for the likely cancellation.
“You know, Washington, DC, is shut down. The mayor shut it down,” Trump said on the White House lawn before leaving for a campaign trip to Michigan. “So, so we have a hotel. I don’t know if you’re allowed to use it or not, but I know the mayor shut down Washington, DC.”
The president, whose campaign has already sent out fundraising solicitations for the party at the Trump International Hotel, suggested he will host a smaller election night shindig at the White House instead.
“We’ll probably stay here,” he said, “or pick another location.”
A Trump campaign spokesman did not immediately return a request for comment on whether supporters who have already pledged cash for the hotel event will be reimbursed.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, has imposed a ban in the city on any gatherings attended by more than 50 people in order to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Though he pointed fingers at Bowser, Trump’s campaign has faced a severe cash crunch with just days to go until the November 3 election, raising speculation that cost concerns influenced the likely hotel event cancellation.
Hosting an election night party at his hotel would also raise more concern from critics and government watchdogs who say Trump may be breaking federal ethics laws by mixing presidential duties with the private business he still controls and profits from.
Trump is set to hold more rallies across the country over the weekend, culminating in an election-eve event in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Monday night.
The flurry of campaign activity comes as Trump is trailing Democratic nominee Joe Biden in nearly all national polls.
Biden holds a narrow lead over Trump in several key battlegrounds as well, according to polls, including Florida, a must-win state for the president.
GNA