Trump Rallies Supporters At Private Fundraiser In Newtown

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — Former President Donald Trump was in the key battleground state of Pennsylvania on Saturday, making a stop in Newtown Township for a private afternoon fundraiser before heading to Schnecksville in Lehigh County for an evening rally.

A heavy police presence was evident in and around the Newtown Athletic Club as the Trump motorcade arrived and departed from the NAC in the Newtown Business Commons.

On hand to greet the former president were hundreds of supporters who braved a biting wind to show their support for Trump as he arrived for the event.

Bundled up against the wind, they held up signs and waved Trump and American flags along Penns Trail and Pheasant Run as the motorcade made its way to the NAC.

(Trump rally photos courtesy of Bernie Sauer)

A group of counter protesters were also there as part of a mobile "Democracy Caravan" organized by Indivisible Bucks County. Three dozen cars decorated with Biden campaign signs and touting local candidates drove around the area behind a billboard truck flashing “Majority Over
MAGA” messages.

“We came to show that the majority of people in our district reject the former president and his MAGA (Make America Great Again) agenda,” said Laura Rose of Indivisible Bucks County. “It’s a dangerous time in our country and we must put all of our energy into keeping our democracy safe.”

“Everything is on the line in November,” said Melissa Branngan of Indivisible Bucks County. “We
must all reject MAGA and its hateful anti-woman, anti-democracy policies up and down the ballot. I think today’s showing demonstrates that we will do just that!”

(Photo courtesy of Indivisible Bucks County)

Inside the NAC, around 300 gathered for a private fundraiser for Trump hosted by Republican donors Dom Caglioti, Adam Kidman, Kim Levins, and Jim Worthington. Tickets for the event ranged from $2,500 up to $250,000.

Bucks County businessman Jim Worthington, the owner of the NAC, has been an ardent supporter of the 45th President of the United States hosting rallies in Oct. 2016 and Oct. 2020 in Bucks County. He also previously served on Trump’s presidential council on physical fitness and sports.

Bernie Sauer, the president of the Greater Newtown Republican Club who attended the fundraiser, said Trump spoke for about an hour to key donors during what Sauer described as an event filled with “ton and tons of energy.”

Sauer said an unusually reserved Trump took the stage as cruise and ballistic missiles and drone attacks were being launched against Israel by Iran, which had threatened an attack after an alleged Israeli airstrike took out several Islamic Revolutionary Guard commanders.

“He was a little distracted (by the events happening in Israel)," said Sauer. "He was very concerned about what is going on over there and said under his presidency these kinds of wars wouldn't happen. But he soon got into his normal self again. There was no name calling. He talked policy and got the crowd energized. He made the crowd laugh and he uplifted the party.”

(Trump rally and fundraising photos courtesy of Bernie Sauer)

Sauer said Kim Levins and Jim Worthington did a great job hosting. "Jim delivered a great opening speech. It was very welcoming in there,” said Sauer. “There was a lot of camaraderie and great spirit.”

While the event was a fundraiser, Sauer said it looked and felt more like a Trump rally, just on a much smaller scale.

“The place was filled with tons of energy. You can tell people just want to get things back on track again. Everyone wants it to go back to the way it was pre-COVID" with lower inflation and energy independence, he said. "And he's the guy who can do it.

"You can tell he's getting ready to get back in there and do what's right," said Sauer.

Looking ahead to the November election, Patch asked Sauer whether he thought the Republican Party in Bucks County will come together under the Trump banner.

"Bucks County Republicans are divided, but I do believe there's a pathway to becoming unified," said Sauer. "I, for one, will be working very hard for it."