Trump’s San Diego County fundraiser expected to raise $4 million

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is expected to raise $4 million at a San Diego County fundraiser Wednesday, according to developer Doug Manchester, one of the lead organizers of the event.

It would make it one of the most successful, if not the most successful, single fundraising events in the business tycoon’s campaign.

Manchester, who is also a Trump convention delegate, said the Rancho Santa Fe event would be attended by about 50 people. He added that the candidate was anticipated to talk about a wide spectrum of his policies but would probably emphasize his economic platform.

“His whole message is free trade, fair trade, whatever it is. But it’s summed up in two words: good deals,” Manchester said.

Trump has harshly criticized past trade deals, particularly those supported by his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, the former secretary of State.

The Rancho Santa Fe fundraiser is also being organized by Jenny Craig of the eponymous diet empire and Madeleine Pickens, the owner of Del Mar Country Club and the ex-wife of Texas billionaire T. Boone Pickens.

Manchester said Trump would “be the first true capitalist ever elected to the presidency of the United States.”

The cheapest ticket to the fundraiser was $25,000, but donors were asked to contribute as much as $449,400 apiece.

Trump also plans to attend a fundraiser in Bel Air on his Southern California swing.

Trump ended May with $1.29 million cash on hand, trailing Clinton, who had $42.5 million. Trump has raised $63.1 million, while Clinton has collected $229.3 million throughout the campaign.

It’s Trump’s first appearance in the area since a large rally on May 27 at the San Diego Convention Center that drew numerous protesters and resulted in clashes with police.

On Tuesday, a group of alumni from the University of San Diego, a Roman Catholic college, said that Trump didn’t uphold the church’s values and is asking the university to denounce Craig and Manchester, both prominent donors to the school.

“If Jenny Craig and Doug Manchester refuse to retract their support of Donald Trump, we are demanding that USD removes Jenny Craig’s and Doug Manchester’s names from their four buildings on campus that adorn their likeness,” Joseph McKellar, a member of the class of 2004 and a member of USD Alumni and Students Against Hate.

A child development center, a hall and a student residency feature Manchester’s surname, and the school is also home to Jenny Craig Pavilion.

USD did not return a request for comment. The Trump campaign also did not return a request for comment and information about the trip.

The alumni group said that Trump’s policies and statements on immigrants, women, economy, race, Muslims and torture are out of step with the Catholic faith.

They also mentioned a statement by Pope Francis regarding Trump’s proposal to build a wall along the entire U.S.-Mexico border.

“A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian. This is not in the Gospel,” the pope said in response to a question about Trump’s position on immigration.

The Democratic National Committee also staged a conference call to criticize Trump’s stances and policies that affect minorities.

“That’s not a good match for my district, or the country for that matter,” Rep. Scott Peters (D-San Diego) said in a conference call. He was joined by Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Torrance).

Trump has no scheduled public appearances during his trip to the San Diego area.

Joshua Stewart writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune.

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