President Donald Trump attended a fundraising luncheon in San Diego on Wednesday in support of his 2020 re-election campaign before traveling to view a section of the border wall.
Trump's visit was part of a West Coast fundraising swing to Palo Alto, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles and San Diego. The San Diego fundraiser, held at the U.S. Grant Hotel, was expected to generate roughly $4 million for the campaign, while the trip as a whole was estimated to raise upwards of $15 million for the Trump Victory Fund, a joint committee of the Republican National Committee and the campaign.
Trump landed at U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Miramar shortly after 11:30 a.m. and met with members of the Marine Corps, Chabad of Poway Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein and Poway Mayor Steve Vaus, who gave him a "Mayor's Medallion," which Vaus gives to city employees and local residents to honor them for their service to the community.
Trump was accompanied at Miramar by hostage negotiator Robert O'Brien, whom he named his new national security adviser Wednesday morning.
Trump arrived at the U.S. Grant just before 1 p.m. but was not spotted by the public as he left his motorcade. At nearby Horton Plaza, crowds of both protesters and supporters held signs and a baby Trump blimp flew overhead.
Some say the reaction to Trump’s visit shows how his administration is dividing America.
"They understand how people can be manipulated and how their fears and hatreds can be used to basically divide Americans instead of unite them," Mark McCool said. "And he’s a master of that."
The crowd remained mostly peaceful despite some taunting between the two sides.
Supporters at the plaza celebrated Trump's arrival by chanting "Trump 2020" and calling for another four-year term.
"Especially in San Diego, California where there’s not that many conservatives," Joseph D’Quilope. "There are but not as many as liberals and we have to come out and support and show that we’re here."
Blake Marnell, who wore a brick suit, signaling his support for strong borders, said he's glad the president came to California.
"I think what republicans in this state should take note of is this means that he — even though we are a blue state, he has not forgotten about Republicans in California," he said.
On Tuesday, county Republican Party Chair Tony Krvaric suggested in a statement that local opposition to Trump is understated.
"We are excited to have President Trump in San Diego on Wednesday for a sold-out fundraiser to keep America great," he wrote in a Twitter post. "There is a lot more support for our great president here than angry Democrats will have people believe."
