FILE - The Trump International Hotel at 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, is seen Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016 in Washington. President Donald Trump keeps taking time out from governing to run for re-election. On Wednesday night, heâll attend his first 2020 campaign fundraiser, at his Washington hotel. Heâs already spent five evenings at political rallies, always in front of an audience of thousands of fans who are selected by his campaign aides. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump is attending his first re-election fundraiser Wednesday night, at his own hotel in Washington.
He's already spent five evenings on the road at political rallies, always in states that supported him in November and always in front of an audience of thousands of fans who are screened and selected by his campaign aides.
His historically early campaigning comes with clear fundraising benefits, but it has raised red flags. Government employees have inappropriately crossed over into campaign activities, tax dollars may be subsidizing some aspects of campaign events, and the president risks alienating Americans who did not vote for him.
The White House says it ensures political entities pay for campaign events and that employees don't run afoul of the rules preventing overtly political activities on government time.
President Donald Trump listens in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Monday, June 26, 2017. Democrats are out to capitalize on what they believe is growing public sentiment that President Donald Trump, the richest man to call the White House home, is turning his back on the regular people who got him elected in favor of his wealthy peers. The party is hoping that pitch will pack extra oomph at a time when even some Republicans are raising concerns that the GOP health-care plan could hurt the poor. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
The Associated Press