Former U.S. President Donald Trump made a surprise appearance Friday (March 12) at a dog rescue fundraiser at his Sea Lake estate, a rare sight since he left office, and hinted that his second daughter-in-law might run for Senate.
Local media WPTV caught Trump wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat as he made a quick appearance at a fundraiser to save Chinese dogs from being sold at a meat market.
Trump said he was passing by and heard people screaming in the hall, so he asked those around him what the event was and when he heard it was a dog rescue event, he agreed with it and decided to come over and say a few words.
He promptly praised his second daughter-in-law Lara Trump, who was present, and added, “I don’t know, are you running for Senate?”
Trump went on to tell Lara, “What you’re doing is important and big, and I support you 100 percent, and we’ve had many meetings in the White House and the Oval Office, and the meetings have been related to saving and helping dogs, and that’s what we want to do …… and have made great progress. “
A source familiar with Trump’s schedule confirmed to Fox News that Trump attended the event Friday, and Big Dog Ranch Rescue, the group holding the fundraiser, issued a statement about the event.
“President Trump came to the event and thanked attendees for their support, which has helped Big Dog Ranch Rescue save 47,000 dogs.” Spokesman Chase Scott told Fox News.
“The crowd gave a standing ovation to President Trump, Laura and Lauree Simmons (founder and president of Big Dog Ranch Rescue) for their work in helping to pass the first national animal cruelty bill in U.S. history.” A spokesperson said.
“The fundraiser is sold out and is being split into 2 days to allow for social distance. Funds are being raised to save abused, abandoned and injured dogs by bringing back dogs from China that would otherwise fall victim to the horrific dog meat trade.” He said.
Trump has made a number of statements since leaving office in January and gave his first major public speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) earlier this month.
And Laura has been seen as one of the potential North Carolina Senate contenders to replace Republican Sen. Richard Burr, who is leaving office in 2022.
Laura has served as a senior adviser to Trump’s 2020 re-election campaign. She was born and raised in North Carolina and now lives in New York City.
In November and December of last year, Laura hinted at the possibility of a Senate run, including forwarding a poll indicating that she would be the Republican frontrunner if she entered the race.
Especially after Senator Burr’s unexpected last-minute seventh Republican vote to impeach Trump in February of this year, which was collectively condemned by the North Carolina Republican Party, public opinion at the Time shifted that Burr’s actions might favor Laura to be among and take the Republican Party nomination for the North Carolina Senate.
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), the ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, asserted at the time that Burr’s impeachment vote would make Laura the favorite to win the Republican nomination to replace Burr in 2022.
Eric Trump, Trump’s second son, and his wife, Lara, attend President Trump’s departure ceremony at Joint Base Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, Jan. 20, 2021.
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