Trump fundraiser for NJ congressman nets more than $800,000

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — President Donald Trump raised more than $800,000 at a closed fundraiser Sunday for a Republican New Jersey congressman who helped broker an agreement to pass a bill to dismantle the national health care law.

Trump appeared at an event with Rep. Tom MacArthur at the president's golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. One of the speakers was New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, according to an attendee. Members of the media traveling with Trump were barred from attending.

MacArthur campaign spokesman Chris Russell said the event included 100 guests. Some donated up to $100,000 to attend the event, which is Trump's first for a member of Congress.

MacArthur was a leading member of a group of moderate House Republicans who helped revive the bill to dismantle the Obamacare law. Senate Republicans are working on their own version of the health care bill and the measure faces an uncertain future.

MacArthur's New Jersey congressional district near the suburbs of Philadelphia was expected to be competitive in 2018.

The fundraiser wasn't Trump's only weekend outing. On Saturday he surprised a New Jersey couple whose wedding reception took place at the golf club. Trump posed for photos with the newlyweds and received a mostly positive response from the guests.