Trump cancels planned appearance at election night celebratory party

Unclear what caused change of plans, but party raises questions about Covid-19 restrictions

Donald Trump will not appear at an election night celebration planned at Washington DC’s Trump International Hotel, according to a report.

A person familiar with plans told the New York Times that the president will likely be at the White House instead.

Advisers had originally said that Mr Trump would appear at the party at his hotel, and fundraising invitations had been sent out by the campaign implying that he would be there.

On reads: “November 3rd will go down in history as the night we won FOUR MORE YEARS. It will be absolutely EPIC, and the only thing that could make it better is having YOU there.”

Under the words “Join us on election night” is a photo of Mr Trump with first lady Melania Trump.

It is not clear why plans have apparently changed. The Independent contacted the White House about the president’s plans for 3 November but has not heard back.

Coronavirus restrictions in the District of Columbia limit gatherings to 50 people, so there were questions about whether the party could go ahead.

An appearance by the president at a hotel that he owns, and at a party paid for by his reportedly cash-strapped campaign, would yet again revive the subject of how much his businesses are profiting from his being in office.

With just four days to go before the election, the RealClear Politics National polling average has Joe Biden leading Mr Trump by 7.6 percentage points.

In battleground states, the polling average has the Democrat ahead by 3.1 points.

In 2016, the Trump family and supporters held a victory celebration at New York City’s Hilton Midtown Hotel, a short distance from his home at Trump Tower.

Across town, Hillary Clinton had planned a victory rally at the Javit’s Convention Centre on Manhattan’s westside.