Former President Donald Trump made a surprise appearance at a Mar-a-Lago fundraiser for rescued Chinese meat market dogs on Friday, eliciting raucous applause from the attendees.
Dressed casually in a white polo shirt and a red “Make America Great Again” hat, President Trump received an intensely positive reception from the crowd.
“So, I didn’t exactly prepare for this,” the President stated. “But I was walking by, and I hear everyone screaming, and I was like, ‘What’s going on?’ and it was like, ‘We’re going to help dogs,’ and that’s okay with me.”
President Trump continued, “What you’re doing is so important and so great, and so important and I’m with you 100%, and you had many meetings in the White House and the Oval Office having to do with saving and helping dogs.”
“I hope the food is good, and I hope you’re having a great time, and enjoy yourselves,” Trump added.
President Trump makes surprise appearance at animal rescue fundraiser. More at https://t.co/j4AOiStqCD@bdrr pic.twitter.com/J4yai8cAbU
— T.A. Walker (@timallanwalker) March 12, 2021
President Trump's surprise speech at @BDRRescue's fundraiser. pic.twitter.com/xfVcgDtigG
— T.A. Walker (@timallanwalker) March 12, 2021
“President Trump visited the event and thanked those attending for their support in helping Big Dog Ranch Rescue save 47,000 dogs to date. The crowd responded with a standing ovation for President Trump, Lara Trump and Laurie Simmons for the work they did to pass the first national anti-cruelty bill to protect animals,” a Big Dog Ranch Rescue spokesperson said according to WPTV West Palm Beach.
President Trump surprised fans at a @BDRRescue fundraiser today on Palm Beach. pic.twitter.com/xVU8h8ByKf
— T.A. Walker (@timallanwalker) March 12, 2021
Lara Trump, the President’s daughter-in-law, was also briefly mentioned in Trump’s brief remarks, with her father-in-law saying, “I heard you’re running for Senate, I don’t know.”
Bid Dog Ranch Rescue aims to help rescue 500 dogs from the Chinese meat markets, and was hoping to raise the sum of $500,000 during the event.
While it is unknown whether that goal was reached, experts have speculated that the President’s appearance had a significant positive impact on the amount of donations.
