Former President Donald Trump was criticized after news outlets reported that he'll host a GOP fundraiser in Minnesota on May 17, the day the judge overseeing his election interference case announced court would not be in session so Trump could attend his son's high school graduation.
The criminal trial in New York revolves around accusations that Trump falsified business records in an attempt to conceal hush money payments made to Daniels before the 2016 general election. Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.
Judge Juan Merchan stated on April 30 that the court wouldn't sit on May 17, which will allow Trump to attend the graduation ceremony of his youngest son Barron, who turned 18 in March and is reportedly making plans for his next steps with the guidance of his mother, Melania Trump.
The graduation ceremony is scheduled to take place in the midmorning, and Trump, who owns a private jet, is expected to be able to attend both the graduation and the Minnesota GOP event on the same day.
The event he is hosting in Minnesota, the Republican Party of Minnesota's Lincoln Reagan Dinner, is scheduled for the evening at St. Paul's RiverCentre, alongside House Majority Whip Representative Tom Emmer.
The Lincoln Project, a political action committee comprising moderate conservatives and former Republican Party members who oppose Trump, shared the news of the fundraiser in a post on X, formerly Twitter, along with a flyer for the event in question.
You can see the post and the flyer below.
@ProjectLincoln/X
In a statement, David Hann, the chair of the Minnesota Republican Party, confirmed Trump's attendance:
"We are thrilled to welcome President Trump back to Minnesota to headline our Lincoln Reagan dinner, an annual tradition that reminds us of the roots of our Party and the leaders who have been most impactful in promoting our American values."
People weren't surprised Trump would take an opportunity to campaign, and accused him of openly lying to Merchan.
Barron has largely stayed out of the public eye during his father's presidency and afterward, and has been enjoying a quieter life with his mother and grandparents in West Palm Beach.
The youngest Trump scion's future plans are unclear but a source told People that Melania Trump is focused on "taking care" of him and that "it’s possible that she will follow him wherever he goes to school."
Tray Gober, a trial attorney and managing partner of Lee, Gober & Reyna, toldNewsweek that Trump's decision to appear at the fundraiser signals Trump is trying to "see how much he can get away with." He said Merchan "will likely not say much about the dinner since Trump has the right to campaign for president."