Melania Trump Holds 'Spectacular' GOP Fundraiser at Her NYC Penthouse

Melania Trump raised $1.4 million in a single night at a Republican fundraiser in her New York City penthouse in Trump Tower.

The fundraiser was for Log Cabin Republicans, a Republican Party-affiliated group that advocates for LGBTQ+ rights. The group described the event as "amazingly spectacular" in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

"We cannot be thankful enough to @MelaniaTrump for her leadership and support of equality for all. This Republican Party is one for ALL Americans," it wrote.

Richard Grenell, a gay Republican who served in former President Donald Trump's cabinet, wrote on X that it was the first campaign event ever to be held at the Trump residence. "We raised $1.4 million in one night. Our goal is to get 50% of the gay vote for Donald Trump," he wrote.

This is the second fundraiser the former first lady has hosted for Log Cabin Republicans this year. The first event, held in April at the Trumps' Florida estate Mar-a-Lago, also helped raise over $1 million for the group, according to its president, Charles T. Moran.

Prior to the April fundraiser, Melania Trump's message to the LGBTQ+ community was about the need for unity and coming together. She wrote on X: "As we look toward the future and the challenges that lie ahead, we must come together around the principles of liberty, justice, and patriotism."

Newsweek reached out to Log Cabin Republicans and Melania Trump via email for comment outside of business hours.

Polling from April suggests Trump is winning over a portion of the LGBTQ+ community, with 22 percent of LGBTQ+ adult respondents to a survey from Data for Progress saying they had a favorable view of the former president.

The higher support for Trump might come down to the policy issues that LGBTQ+ Americans are prioritizing this election cycle. The survey responses said the economy, jobs, and inflation were top issues at 27 percent, with LGBTQ+ issues and abortion issues lower at 15 and 10 percent, respectively.

Fundraising will play a key role in November's election, including paying for advertisements in key swing states. Trump recently caught up with incumbent Joe Biden, who previously had a massive fundraising lead.

The former first lady has been largely out of the spotlight during her husband's campaign for a second term in the White House, including not attending his criminal trial in New York.

Trump later said that his criminal trial was difficult for his wife, telling Fox & Friends, "She's fine, but I think it's very hard for her."

She also did not attend her husband's first presidential debate against Biden in Atlanta on June 27.

Update 7/9/24, 7:28 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.