Hillary Clinton canceled her appearance at a fundraising event for Kamala Harris in the Hamptons, reportedly due to contracting COVID-19 after the Democratic National Convention.
According to Page Six of the New York Post, Clinton withdrew from the Hamptons fundraiser for the Harris-Walz campaign last Monday. Sources cited by the Post said Clinton came down with COVID-19 prior to the event and was unable to attend.
In her absence, Bill Clinton and Doug Emhoff stepped in to take her place at the event, which was hosted at the home of Richard and Lisa Perry, prominent art collectors in the Hamptons. The Perrys are known for owning pieces by notable artists such as Frank Stella, Alexander Calder, Ellsworth Kelly, and Donald Judd.
Tickets for the top tier of the event were priced at $100,000 each. An invitation obtained by the outlet noted, “This is likely to be one of the last small events in the NY area before the election, so it is not to be missed.”
The invitation also mentioned that event chairs included notable figures like Sharon and Jon Corzine, Crystal McCrary McGuire and Ray McGuire, Brooke Garber Neidich and Dan Neidich, Laurie Tisch, among others. A source familiar with the Clintons’ role in the event commented, “They don’t have to show at these things,” and explained that substitutions can be made on short notice if needed.
Another source told the outlet that the fundraiser at the Hamptons, along with another hosted at the home of Clinton supporter Michael Kempner, raised around $2 million within a few days.