(CNN) – Business mogul Donald Trump will be recognized as the 2012 Statesman of the Year by the Sarasota, Florida, Republican Party the day before the Republican National Convention opens in Tampa next month.
Tickets for the August 26 dinner go as high as $1,000 per person, which include a private meet-and-greet with Trump, according to an invitation flyer for the event.
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Trump has endorsed the presidential run of presumptive GOP nominee Mitt Romney, though Trump's repeated questioning of President Barack Obama's birthplace and birth certificate have overshadowed events where they have appeared together.
Trump initially flirted with his own run for the presidency, but dropped out of the field in the spring.
He has appeared this year at state-level Republican Party events, such as a fundraiser for the North Carolina GOP last month, where he stood by his so-called "birther" comments and said waging war with Iran may be "good politics" for the incumbent.
Rep. Vern Buchanan, who is the subject of four federal and Congressional investigations into his business practices, has donated at least $15,000 in conjunction with the event, according to the August invitation. Buchanan is the head of fundraising for the National Republican Congressional Committee, which works to elect Republicans to Congress.
- CNN's Steve Brusk and Gregory Wallace contributed to this report
From CNN Politics
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Clearly republicans in Sarasota shouldn't be allowed to use scissors without supervision... And yet they can vote....
This would be a joke anywhere but Sarasota, where anyone with hair (even fake hair) is regarded as a "statesman". Seriously, Donald Trump? Still, he was the only Republican candidate who was willing to openly claim that Obama was an illegal alien. That must make him a hero to a lot of them, especially the 85+ plus crowd in Sarasota. Or maybe they're just mistaking him for Ed McMahan. The title fits; a joke 'statesman' for a joke 'party'.
The 85+ crowd in Sarasota must be mistaking him for Ed McMahan, who was supposed to meet them at the Tampa Airport with their Big Check from the Publishers' Clearinghouse. Ed McMahan, now there was a statesman!
Just goes to show us all how out of touch parts, if not all, of the Grand Old Party are. How laughable!!
Sarasota GOP/Tea Party members are scrapping the bottom of the barrell to get to Trump's name. Guess there weren't too many candidates when you look at the party of Palin, Bachmann, Romney, Huckabee, Limbaugh, Hannity, Coulter, and Cain.
Great old Rock'n'Roll song that beautifully illustrates the current Teapublican Party and Donald trump . . .
Nuthin' from nuthin' leaves nuthin' !
What a stellar achievement. This goes right up there with awarding him the "biggest mouth" award.
Oh Puh-leeze!! Statesman??? Trump??? He may be rich, but he's about as rude and crude as they come!! Leave it to the GOP to make such a stupid blunder! "Blowhard of the Year" would be more like it!!!
If this is what the GOP has to offer I know what a joke their party is. They couldn't think of anyone else who would they would have in this position. Complete joke
I'm laughing on the outside, crying on the inside.
I can't believe anyone making under 150k can even think about supporting any Rebublican.
Does anyone need any more proof of how out of touch with reality the Greed Over People party is? this says it all. how sad that there are enough people gullible enough that they are keeping this terrorist organization in the running as a legitimate political party.
Good grief! We could name hundreds who should be Statesmen of the Year. Donald Trump has shown that he can be very divisive. His has made statements that show he is out of touch or just plain stubborn. If he says it, it must be correct. There is no room for discussion or debate. He does have loads of money he could give to the Republicans and that is just what they want. Patronage at its worst.
What a joke on the GOP, Trump a statesman. A man who refused to show his tax returns but wanted to be president, a man who more than once had banks bail him out of bankruptcy which is your tax paying money, a man who went to foreign countries to find a foreign born wife but refuses to accept the proven fact that President Obama is a U.S. citizen. Trump must own Sarasota, Fla., that's the only way anyone in their right mind would name him a "statesman".
I had to check my calendar. This isn't an April Fool's joke? Can these people possibly be serious? What world do they live in?
Next up: Florida GOP nominates Snooki to be the next head of NASA.
If the GOP in Sarasota says it, it must be true. Personally i think his continued attacks on Obama regarding his birth certificate and birthplace, despite all evidence contradictory to his claim, shows a masterful grasp of political nuance, and a magnificent understanding of statesmanship. He's just the man to shape the word for years to come. Those guys (probably no girls and probably all white) should feel proud of themselves–they really understand the world. Magnificent gesture.
Can there be any doubt as to why our country faces the problems we do? Having this clown even considered for an award of any magnitude is beyond reason. Let's hope that the rest of Florida is not populated with individuals having such lack of sanity. Apparently the Krooch Bros have had their say...and their monies spent...in this neighborhood.
Wow! Not only is the GOP anti-science, they also apparently don't bother with the definition of words.
So he speaks the language of the idiots in this country known as the GOP...and that should be a surprise ro whom.?
Seriously folks, doesn't this show how far the Regressive party formerly the GOP, has fallen! ROTFLMAO!
Statesman of the Year? What a joke. Don't forget Trump allowed Muammar Gaddafi to pitch his tent in Trump's back yard when every Hotel in New York wouldn't give Gaddafi a place to stay.
I fear for the future of the republic.
Are you serious? This guy is maybe the Scum Bag of the Year, but certainly nothing more.
Really, did Gov. Chris Christie get "Mr. Congeniality? Just wondering