US Rep Cawthorn holds fundraiser with President Trump in New Jersey

Rep. Madison Cawthorn, R-N.C., speaks on Thursday, June 17, 2021, during a news conference with Republican members of the House, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

RALEIGH — U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorn (NC-11) held a weekend fundraiser in Bedminster, New Jersey, at the property of former President Donald Trump — with Trump himself as the special guest.

The event appeared to follow a meeting with business leaders. Cawthorn tweeted on July 31, “I hosted a round table with special guest President Donald Trump and several key business leaders to create a path forward to victory for the country and to provide election security nationwide.”

The fundraising invitation was circulated with an RSVP to Heather Whillier, an N.C.-based political fundraiser working for Cawthorn. She previously worked for former U.S. Rep. Sue Myrick (NC-09) and Lt. Gov. Dan Forest in his three statewide campaigns. The event was billed as a “birthday fundraiser” for Cawthorn, who turned 26 on Aug. 1.

In his latest quarterly fundraising report, Cawthorn reported raising $651,000, and his joint fundraising committee raised another $500,000 from April through June.