Trump Crisscrosses LA as Opponents Denounce his Rumored VP as 'Homophobic Neanderthal'

Los Angeles, CA --Amid reports that he has selected a running mate, presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald J. Trump held fundraisers in the Southland today, including one in Bel Air with a top ticket price of $449,400 per couple.

Trump's fundraising efforts were overshadowed by multiple reports that he plans to officially name Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as his vice presidential pick.

The announcement was originally expected to be made at a Friday news conference in New York City, but Trump announced late today he was postponing his news conference in light of an attack in Nice, France, that left dozens of people dead.

The Trump campaign did not confirm the vice presidential choice, but multiple national media outlets reported that Trump had already contacted Pence, who accepted the offer to join the Republican presidential ticket.

Pence, 57, a social and fiscal conservative with strong Christian beliefs, previously hosted a conservative talk radio show in Indiana. He was one of the original backers of efforts to de-fund Planned Parenthood.
As governor, he made national news last year when he signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which was denounced by many as allowing discrimination of gays and lesbians.

Some Democrats were quick to disparage Pence. Alex Rooker, first vice chair of the California Democratic Party, called him a "homophobic neanderthal" whose views "fit right into Donald Trump's anthology of hate."
The speculation over the vice presidential pick pushed Trump's fundraising efforts into the background, but the candidate was making the most of his time in Southern California as he worked to pad his campaign war chest.

The $449,400-per-couple ticket price for tonight's Bel-Air event was based on the maximum individual contributions permitted to a presidential candidate, $2,700, the maximum to a national party committee, $33,400, and the $100,200 maximum to additional national party accounts which pay for the national convention and national party headquarters buildings.

Additional funds go to various state Republican parties.

The ticket purchasers joined the 70-year-old Trump for dinner, had a photo taken with him, were admitted to an earlier reception and be part of the campaign's "Presidential Trust," according to an invitation obtained by City News Service.

A couple paying $250,000 also joined Trump for dinner, had a photo taken with him, were admitted to the reception and be part of the campaign's "Chairman's Circle."

A couple paying $100,000 also joined Trump for dinner, had a photo taken with him, be admitted to the reception and be designated as a vice chair of the event. The cost to attend the dinner, reception and have a photo taken with Trump is $25,000 per person. The price to have a picture taken with Trump and be admitted to the reception was $10,800 per couple. Admission to the reception was $2,700 per person.

About 200 people attended the fundraiser, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Trump also held a lunch fundraiser at his Beverly Hills home on Rodeo Drive. Details were not released, but there was a visible police presence around the property.

A watch commander for the Beverly Hills Police Department said officers were at the house to provide security.

City News Service