Donald Trump is planned to deliver remarks at an event hosted by the Republican Hindu Coalition next month, as he looks to expand his outreach to minority voting blocs. He is expected to speak against terrorism on September 24 at the PNC Bank Art Center in Holmdel, New Jersey.
The event, titled “Humanity United Against Terror,” will take place in Holmdel two days before the Republican presidential nominee is slated to meet Hillary Clinton on the debate stage in nearby Hempstead, N.Y. According to a press release, Trump will also meet with members of his campaign’s Indian American Advisory Board at the event.
The coalition was formed by Shalli Kumar, an Indian-American businessman and GOP mega donor, who said last fall that the group planned to raise around $10 million to contribute to Republican congressional candidates this cycle. The group’s honorary chairman is former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, a top ally and adviser to Trump, and someone who has encouraged the GOP to reach Indian-American voters through issues like national security.
Kumar has emerged as one of Trump’s largest campaign donors. On July 16, Kumar wired $449,400 to Trump’s campaign, the maximum amount an individual can donate to the fund in one election cycle. His wife then made an equal donation of $449,400. Kumar said he expects 25,000 people to attend the event. The RHC is offering tickets from its Web site to anyone who donates $101 or more.
“It’s Trump being Trump,” said Indian-American business person and co-founder of the RHC, Shalli Kumar. “He’s just misunderstood. He is just as color, religion, race-blind as anyone could be. He’s a business person.”
In an exclusive interview with Diya TV, Kumar lauded this first of its kind event specific to Indian-Americans. “The goal is to unite Hindu-American community with conservative values together and expand the RHC and at the time same time help the victims of terror throughout the world.”
Trump will meet with members of his campaign’s Indian American Advisory Board at the event. Bollywood stars and major Hindu spiritual leaders are also scheduled to attend. Kumar believes the four hour spectacle will attract 25,000 to 30,000 people, featuring surprises he does not want to disclose yet. The event is just one part of the effort the GOP is making to appeal to America’s most affluent and educated ethnic minority.
“When the Republican party leaders launched the Republican Hindu Coalition, they had a purpose to expand Republican outreach to India, Indian-Americans in particular along the lines of Jewish Americans,” said Kumar. The RHC plans to raise around $10 million to support various Republican congressional candidates this cycle.
