Miami Grand Prix officials shut down Donald Trump's planned fundraiser for violating suite agreement

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Former president Donald Trump's plan to host a fundraiser at the Miami Grand Prix was shut down by the event organizers on Friday, April 26, the Daily Mail reported.

In a cease and desist letter addressed to Steven Witkoff, a friend of the presumptive Republican nominee who testified on his behalf in New York, the Grand Prix officials stated that Trump violated terms of the suite agreement by planning to raise money for a federal election.

The Washington Post was the first to obtain the letter and shared that Witkoff had purchased the suite in his name to operate the fundraiser.

The content of the letter

The letter received by Witkoff reportedly read, "It has come to our attention that you may be using your Paddock Club Rooftop Suite for a political purpose, namely raising money for a federal election at $250,000 per ticket, which clearly violates the Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix suite license agreement."

"If this is true, we regret to inform you that your suite license will be revoked, you will not be allowed to attend the race at any time, and we will refund you in full," the letter added.

While officials on behalf of the race did not share any public statement, Whitkoff reportedly claimed that the story "is something fake, for sure," without any further comments.

When will the Miami Grand Prix be held?

According to the news report, the Miami Grand Prix will be held on May 5 at the International Autodrome in Miami Gardens.

The now-canceled fundraiser was reportedly set up in Hollywood, a Florida golf club owned by Witkoff, and the invitations had already reached the members.

While it did not mention Trump by name, sources state that those who inquired were informed that the event was for the GOP candidate and would cost $250,000. The Secret Service had also reportedly reached out to race officials to coordinate Trump's attendance in Miami.

Internet glad by cancellation of Donald Trump's fundraiser

Netizens appeared to be glad that the fundraiser was canceled, as the following comments by readers under the Daily Mail report demonstrate.

"As long as it breaks the same in both directions, I completely agree. There is no positive to dragging your event or business into politics," wrote a reader.

"Keep politics out of sport right? F1 doesn’t want to get rolled up American political drama and the races should be for the love of the sport not political fundraising opportunities," stated another.

"Good! Sport and F1 should not be used for political fundraising by either party or candidates," echoed one person.

"Creative fundraising but they have to respect the owner's rules," commented another.

"He is not raising money for the election. He is raising money to pay his legal bills," an individual said.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.