Access Peddling 101

 

by Pa Rock

Citizen Journalist

According to a story which broke last week in "Wired" magazine and was picked up and repeated across various news sources, it is now possible to buy private access to the President,  A wealthy person who has business that he would like to bring directly to Donald Trump's attention may purchase a private one-on-one candlelight dinner with the politician at his Mar-A-Lago club in Florida.  And for those on a budget, there is also an option of purchasing a seat at a small-group candlelight dinner with the President for the bargain rate of just one million dollars.

The meal itself certainly would not be worth that level of expenditure.   (Trump famously served a "Big Mac Buffet" to the Clemson football team at the White House.).   But people who shell out millions of dollars to attend aren't going for the food - they are going to be seen and appreciated by the President of the United States, a man who has the power to make or break their business interests.  It's not a meal, it's a business investment

It's also one more example of the privileges that wealth can purchase.

Trump held two of the small group dinners after he was elected to his second term last November, one in December and one in January on the night before he was sworn into office.   Invitations are going out to America's ultra-wealthy, the people Trump serves, from a Super PAC called MAGA, INC, and  those who RSVP are expected to do so with the appropriate "donation."    It seems to be unclear at this time exactly how the proceeds are being used.  But what is very clear is that for a seven-figure donation, the big hogs at the trough can get some quality "me" time with the old boar himself.

And if the wealthy diners want to take home a keepsake from the big event, there will probably be a table close by where they can purchase their fill of Trump meme coins, imaginary trading cards, Bibles, stickers, chocolate bars, and clothing.  Just imagine the adoration and envy that will come from wearing a pair of Trump golden sneakers into the next board meeting!

P.T. Barnum, a big fan of the grift (and clowns), would have loved Trump!