Donald Trump hosts massive fundraising event for charity that helps refugees

Gala takes place as charity works to help victims of Republican's Muslim travel ban

US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrive for the 60th Annual Red Cross Gala at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach (Getty Images)

Campaigners have accused the Red Cross of hypocrisy after it held its annual fundraising ball at a luxury resort owned by Donald Trump - and welcomed the US President to the event.

The charity, which works to support refugees, hosted the gala at the billionaire businessman's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida at a time when he is engulfed in a row over his decision to ban refugees entering the US for at least 120 days, and indefinitely in the case of migrants from Syria.

The United Nations (UN) said thousands of refugees were left stranded in their countries of origin when the ban was introduced, including many who had "disposed of their few possessions and given up their livelihoods and shelters all in the expectation that they were about to start new lives".

The Red Cross is providing humanitarian aid to those affected, including "food and water at ports of entry; blankets, toiletries and other aid; and health, mental health and spiritual care service”.

On its website, the charity even refers to the Syrian conflict as "one of the most daunting humanitarian crises in decades".

"Millions of refugees are fleeing conditions in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, creating one of the most daunting humanitarian crises in decades. The Red Cross is working in numerous countries to help as these families migrate from their homeland in search of a better life."

By contrast, Mr Trump has highlighted those very same displaced people as potential terrorists.

"We have no idea who these people are, we [the US] are the worst when it comes to paperwork," he said in November. "This could be one of the great Trojan horses."

It is not the first time the Red Cross’s lavish fundraising gala has been held at Mar-a-Largo but the move is particularly contentious this year because of Mr Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric.

A spokesperson for the charity said it does not take political positions and attempts to remain neutral. Event organisers also said the venue was chosen well in advance - but added that the location of next year’s gala had not yet been decided.

However, critics questioned why the organisation was giving money to Mr Trump at the same time as it is fighting to help the victims of his policies, and demonstrators outside the resort protested against the decision.

Stephen P. Milo, a Miami resident who organised the protest before stepping aside citing safety concerns, said: “The Red Cross does good things, but there's some irony in having the fundraiser there, and I do want to shed light on that. Wait a minute — you're talking about alleviating human suffering and you're having this event here?"

This year’s fundraising gala was predicted to cost $400,000 to put on and was expected to raise $925,000 for the charity. Many of the costs will be paid directly to Mr Trump’s business.

The lavish ball was given the theme “Vienna to Versailles” and saw the resort’s ballroom decked out in gold and silver decorations. Mr Trump made an appearance along with with his wife, Melania. Before entering the ball, he responded to news that a Seattle judge had ruled his travel ban was unconstitutional and must be suspended.

Mr Trump vowed to fight on, saying: “We’ll win. For the safety of the country, we’ll win.”

The controversy comes months after the American Red Cross was criticised by victims of a deadly earthquake in Haiti, who told donors not to give money to the charity because of reports it had squandered funds.

The charity was accused of building just six homes in the Caribbean nation since 2010 – despite raising almost half a billion dollars in donations and pledging to build 700.