In the Hamptons, wealthy Biden donors fear a “dark” future under Trump
If the number of candidate-branded plastic cups sold at the Monogram Store in East Hampton is an accurate predictor of this fall’s election results, President Biden will suffer a devastating defeat in the Biden-Trump race in November.
Every presidential election cycle since 2004, the small shop on Newtown Lane has sold monogrammed plastic cups with each candidate’s name on them, tracking sales and recording daily figures. With the exception of the Clinton-Trump matchup, it has been a perfect indicator of the outcome of the race (including the Bush-Kerry one).
“It collapsed in 2016 along with everyone else,” he said. Valerie Smith, store owner.
In January of this year, Smith decided to eliminate the cups. “It’s a toxic environment,” she said. “It could lead to something unpleasant.”
Instead, she took a neutral, quiet approach to political messaging, printing “Let Us Pray 2024” on plastic cups that she said could get the message across to everyone. And they sold “very quickly.”
But regulars in the store wanted the candidates’ thermometers back, and Smith told them so. Early last month, she caved and made Biden-Harris 2024 and Trump 2024 mugs. The sales surprised her, but not as much as who was buying them.
“From the moment we started, sales were three to one. [for Trump]Smith said.
“The fascinating thing is, with perhaps four exceptions, [is that] All of these mugs were bought by a woman. And what does the poll tell us every time? That Trump is having trouble with suburban women. Well, let me tell you—they come in here all day long.”
As of June 30, after about three weeks of selling them, 689 Trump mugs and 376 Biden mugs had been sold (and Smith noted that about 100 of those Biden mugs were purchased in bulk ahead of Biden’s local fundraiser following last Saturday’s star-studded debate in Barry And Lizanne Rosensteinbeach house on Further Lane). Also listed on the invitation are Hampton residents such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick, And Michael J. Fox is an American actor.
Now, with many calling for Biden to drop out of the race after his performance in the first presidential debate, the big trophy count has been completely flipped upside down, as have many Democrats who, along with their checkbooks, are spending their summers in the Hamptons.
Like Palm Beach in the winter and New York City in the spring, the Hamptons are on the fundraising circuit, and most politicians head there between late June and mid-August, hats in hand, calling on wealthy donors at every turn.
Last week’s debate gave many people pause.
At parties with lobster salad and rosé, and on Main Beach in East Hampton with live music on Tuesday, while Trump supporters happily texted “Bi-Done” to anyone and everyone, conversations among shocked Democrats who felt trapped in hell ranged from “Biden should step aside” to “let him run” to “I’m not sure what he should do.”
But behind closed doors, where real money is pumped into campaigns, one prominent fundraiser who asked to remain anonymous said the general mood was one of “genuine concern”.
Protesters hold up signs outside a fundraiser for U.S. President Joe Biden in East Hampton, New York, U.S., on Saturday, June 29, 2024.By Amanda L. Gordon/Bloomberg via Getty Images.
