Action draws hundreds in aim to disrupt Trump and MacArthur's fundraiser

BEDMINSTER – The goal behind Sunday's "Summer of Resistance" protest at Trump National Golf Club was to disrupt; to make it uncomfortable and even impossible for guests to attend a high-priced fundraiser for U.S. Rep. Tom MacArthur at the golf course.

MacArthur, whose third congressional district represents portions of Burlington and Ocean counties, is the Republican Party's architect behind the American Healthcare Act (AHCA), aimed at replacing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) of the Obama administration.

More than 140 cars, with about 500 people, participated in the weekly action — looping Lamington Road repeatedly as they drove slowly along the eight-mile stretch. While traffic was not stopped, it was stalled for about an hour before the fundraiser began at 4 p.m. The action was deemed a success by organizers as traffic slowed along the two-lane road.

Police were on hand throughout the afternoon and did not permit people to get out of their cars along the roadway.

The president has been at his golf source since Friday evening, but reporter access to him was limited throughout the weekend, including at the fund-raiser, which the president was to headline. The event remained closed to the press, despite several requests from pool reporters who noted that previous presidents routinely allowed the them into such events, at least to witness presidential remarks.

According to the invitation, tickets started at $5,400 per couple for a reception, with other price points of $25,000 for a “co-host” and $100,000 for a “host,” each of which came with VIP photo opportunity and reception. The VIP photo opportunity was limited to 20 guests, the invitation said.

White House aides provided no information about the event, but Chris Russell, a spokesman for the Rep. Tom MacArthur campaign, sent out the following statement via email Sunday afternoon:  

"It was a great event with about 100 guests and the Congressman raised more than $800,000. The theme of his remarks were about making tough decisions and solving problems. He didn't run for Congress to decorate a chair. Obamacare is failing, premiums are rising and choices are dwindling. Tom decided sitting on the sidelines and letting it completely collapse was not an option. His efforts will ensure access to quality healthcare, protect people with preexisting conditions and lower costs for families and small business."

According to the invitation, the funds would be shared among “MacArthur Victory, a joint fundraising committee authorized by and composed of MacArthur for Congress, Inc., NRCC, TMAC PAC, and New Jersey Republican State Committee (Federal Account).”

This is the first personal fund-raiser Trump has held for a House incumbent, according to the pool report.

These car caravan protests have been a regular occurrence this spring and Sunday's was the biggest turnout thus far, said Lou DiPaolo, who is involved with NJ Working Families Alliance, one of the organizers of the action. About 30 cars with locals readied for the protest at Ten Eyck Park, while the remainder — a mix of MacArthur's South Jersey constituents and more locals — congregated at the Clarence Dillon Library. Most had decorated their vehicles with anti-Trump and/or anti-MacArthur slogans and statements. 

"There were families, couples, a lot of people brought their kids out," DiPaolo said. "It's been steadily growing. Last week was our second biggest because it was the March for Truth. We are really excited to see strong support in stereotypical red western new jersey. People don't often associate Hunterdon and Somerset counties with the resistance, but the resistance is here and the resistance is strong."

READ: Hundreds protest Trump in Bedminster for global March for Truth rally

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This week's intent was to escalate the protests outside the golf club with a People's Motorcade and "die-in" near the property. This action was aimed at highlighting the activists' opposition to the MacArthur/Trump amendments to the AHCA — called the "Un-American Health Care Act" by the activists — and the elimination of affordable and accessible healthcare for 23 million Americans, said Analilia Mejia, executive director of NJ Working Families Alliance.

About 45 people participated in the “die-in” that also featured speakers who represented districts of various congress members including U.S. Reps. Chris Smith, Rodney Frelinghuysen, Frank LoBiondo, Leonard Lance and MacArthur, Mejia said.

"As you can see, people are willing to take their Sunday to call the question on where this administration is headed when it comes to healthcare, when it comes to national security, when it comes to ties to Russia and our electoral process," Mejia said. "Our intention is to keep it going, educating voters and activists across the state." 

The involved activists also called attention to what they believe are the negative effects the Trump budget will have on their communities as well as demanding to seek truth from the administration.

"I don't know where to focus because everyday there is a new issue that distracts me from what my primary issue was, which was women's rights," said Readington resident Michele D'Amico, who came to the protest with friends Angela Havay of Plainfield and Denise Esakoff of Readington. "I've been to these before and other marches."

"I have come to every one of these," said Branchburg resident Gail O'Brien, who came with the group Branchburg Individual Activists. "I believe in protesting every single weekend just like they did at Mar-a-Lago. I think we need to tell him he is not welcome along with his agenda. We disagree with his entire agenda and especially the healthcare which the Senate is doing behind closed doors. But, every week we want to say we totally disagree with what he is doing."

Sunday's protest is one of many planned for the "summer White House." For a few months, hundreds have been gathering weekly to protest the Trump administration and its policies with the People's Motorcade and gathering of like minds. The motorcade is part of the sustained “Summer of Resistance” activism organized by New Jersey Working Families Alliance, its affiliates, and partners, including We the People NJ- 07, Branchburg Indivisible, Westfield 20/20, NJ 7 Forward and more.

According to Jim Girvan of Branchburg, one of the organizers behind the action, the event was a success even before it started — given the large turnout. Girvan is the organizer of the People's Motorcade, a group of activists that have been gathering every Saturday since early May to drive past the golf club in a procession decorated with anti-Trump signs and regalia.

"We changed our regularly scheduled Saturday People’s Motorcade to Sunday to coincide with the Tom MacArthur fundraiser being given by Trump at Trump National," Girvan said. "The fundraiser is a payback from Trump to MacArthur for being the architect of the MacArthur amendment to the AHCA that got it out of the House."

Girvan called the amendment "wrong, unacceptable and un-American" and stresses that it will result in 23,000,000 people losing healthcare by 2026. That was the reason for the day's "die-in" near the library. The consequence of losing healthcare is "not very good" as people will die, Girvan said.

"It is not the direction that our government should be going in if they truly want to improve the healthcare system," Girvan said. "They are simply pandering to those that opposed 'Obamacare' by virtue of its name alone. After six years of opposition and 60 votes attempting repeal, they did not even have a viable replacement. Many Americans did not even realize that the coverage they now have under the ACA will be lost."

Girvan wants to see healthcare "viewed as a necessity."

"Not just the access that is touted by Republicans which will result in millions being priced out of the market and unable to afford the essential benefits needed to live a healthy and productive life," he said. "We are resisting today and standing up for the 23,000,000 people that will lose the healthcare they need and deserve as Americans."

It is not know when the president will return to Bedminster, reportedly a favorite spot for his wife and youngest child.

MacArthur, the former mayor of Randolph, is considered to be the wealthiest member of the state's congressional delegation, with reported assets of more than $25 million. He currently ranks as the 17th wealthiest House member.

His first bid for a congressional seat in 2014 saw him contributing $5 million of his own money. MacArthur won and took office in 2015. He ran for re-election in 2016, winning with 60 percent of the vote, again self-funding the majority of the campaign. 

For more information on the weekly planned protests, contact Anne Songcayauon at asongcayauon@workingfamilies.org.

Staff Writer Cheryl Makin: 732-565-7256; cmakin@gannettnj.com