At a high-stakes fundraiser with top Republican donors, Donald Trump unleashed a shocking insult, reportedly calling Kamala Harris “retarded” during an unfiltered rant that left attendees stunned. Rather than rallying his wealthy supporters with gratitude, Trump used the stage at Trump Tower to complain about being financially outpaced by Harris, who has reportedly raised over $1 billion since stepping in for Biden. Seven attendees told the New York Times that Trump’s tirade didn’t stop at Harris—he scolded attendees for falling behind and criticized Jewish voters supporting her despite his pro-Israel policies.
Wealthy GOP figures like hedge fund manager Paul Singer and former education secretary Betsy DeVos were in attendance, but the sharp tone was unexpected. While Trump’s penchant for insulting opponents isn’t new—he recently called Harris “mentally impaired” at a Pennsylvania rally—this latest comment stirred immediate backlash, especially as Harris herself faced heat in the past for not distancing from similar language used by a supporter.
As the campaigns charge forward, Harris’s fundraising juggernaut is fueling a massive advertising spree, far outspending Trump on TV and social media. For Trump, who has a packed schedule of fundraisers still to go, the Coachella rally and high-profile events in blue states underscore his strategy of winning support where his chances are low but headlines run high.
