INSIDE TRUMP’S STOP IN THE BURBS
PLUS: HIS SURPRISE CHICAGO VISIT, 6
Hey! Hey! It was a Trump love fest. Pull up a luncheon chair. Donald Trump, who has dinged Chicago for our murder rate, denounced the Cubs last year for being poorly run by owners who opposed his campaign and expressed concern for the Bears going forward — was all banter, burble and bubble at a private luncheon in Bolingbrook on Wednesday.
“I love Chicago. I am an investor here. It’s a great city,” chirped Trump, who left the Bolingbrook Golf Club fundraiser organized by savvy Bolingbrook Mayor Roger Claar with 1.5 million bucks in his political pocket.
“It was a huge blowout,” a luncheon source said.
Trump, who took no questions from the 350- plus donors dining on cold salmon salad and Claar’s favorite yellow pudding, played it mellow while pitching podium bon mots to the audience in the Ronald Reagan Room.
Todd Ricketts, a co- owner of the Cubs who is CEO of the conservative Ending Spending super PAC, was in attendance.
In a shout- out to Ricketts, Trump yelled: “I want to commend the Ricketts family on their business plan and how they rebuilt the Chicago Cubs in a few short years!”
Ricketts shouted back:” It’s gonna be a great year because YOU are going to win the presidency AND THE CUBS ARE GOING TO WIN THE WORLD SERIES!” The room erupted with applause. Trump was now on a roll. Tossing a huge shout- out to retired Hall of Fame football defensive tackle Dan Hampton, whom he mistakenly called “Dave,” Trump praised Hampton and asked him to join him on stage.
“My daughter Ivanka always reminds me I am a BIG guy,” said Trump, who reportedly weighs 267 pounds.
“So I just want to show my children there are guys bigger than me. And I want you to tell coach [ Mike] Ditka how much I love the guy and appreciate his support and friendship.”
Then Trump told Hampton he “wished you’d suit up because the Bears need you.”
Trump also volunteered to lend Hampton his knees. “I have great knees, and if you want to borrow them, I’d be more than happy to do so,” Trump said.
Trump then gave a big shout- out to WeatherTech CEO David MacNeil, commending him for manufacturing his product in America.
MacNeil shouted back: “And I employ 1,100 people here in Bolingbrook.”
Trump, however, saved the knife for Republican U. S. Sen. Mark Kirk, who has refused to endorse Trump.
The source claimed Trump stated: “It is one thing not to endorse me, but it is another thing to use me in ads for yourself against me. Guys like Kirk who are behind in the polls can’t figure out why guys like me are ahead in the polls.”
Trump, who told the crowd his campaign raised $ 18 million since his televised debate two days ago, singled Kirk out several times for disdain, the source added.
Trump also praised Claar, who organized the event. Overseeing a diverse community, Claar’s event had a Muslim deliver the invocation, an African- American as master of ceremonies, and an African- American woman sing the national anthem, according to the source.
Meanwhile, Ivanka Trump was headlining a fundraiser at the home of Bill and Shelley Farley, attended by a group that was 2 to 1 women, according to a Sneed source — as well as legendary Bears coach Mike Ditka and his wife, Diana; comedian Tom Dreesen; Barry and Tracy Mansur; Ron Gidwitz, Todd Ricketts and Sugar Rautbord. Well, do tell. “She was wearing a ponytail and dressed in a subtle green outfit. She was stunning. Elegant. Lovely. And charming. Seriously,” said a male source at the Farley event.
“Everyone wanted to know how Trump managed to raise such a lovely family despite three marriages.”
Can’t wait to hear the answer to that one.
Sneedlings . . .
I spy: “Chicago Fire” actor Joe Minoso spotted chowing down on Sprinkles signature red velvet cupcakes on set Monday for his birthday. . . . Bulls star Jimmy Butler at the Pump Room on Friday night. . . . Today’s birthdays: Kevin Durant, 28; Calvin Johnson, 31, and Roger Bart, 54.