With some of Washington’s most plugged-in power brokers gathering for their annual, and very private, Senators Classic golf weekend at the Williamsburg Inn, Donald Trump couldn’t resist a quick side trip Friday on his way to his rally in Richmond.
And, in keeping with the golf weekend tradition, nobody much was talking.
Peninsula-area police and local government officials said they were not free to talk about Trump’s visit.
“I was here for the Senate reception,” said Ben Dendy, one of Richmond’s most influential lobbyists and chairman of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation Board. “It was a complete surprise to see him … I had no idea.”
The presumptive GOP nominee’s stop in Williamsburg lasted about 90 minutes, starting with a meeting with about two dozen Washington power brokers, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, at the Spa at Colonial Williamsburg.
After about an hour the group started drifting over to the Inn. Trump followed, a few minutes after McConnell, glued to a cell phone, in the midst of a group two dozen associates and Secret Service agents.
Both waved off questions.
The gathering continued in the Inn’s main dining hall, with drinks and hors d’ouvres, behind tight Secret Service security.
That was where Dendy and his family were surprised to run into Trump — and where his son grabbed a selfie with a smiling Trump.
Trump spoke at the reception, as well as mixing with the crowd.
“It was the usual thing,” Dendy said. “It was exactly what you hear on television.”
Trump’s stop came as a surprise to Peninsula Republican officials and party operatives.
Big GOP donors in Williamsburg said they were unaware of his visit.
His campaign spokeswoman and the leader of his Virginia campaign, Prince William County Supervisor Corey Stewart, did not respond to calls and emails asking about the event.
Local government officials and police said they could not talk about the timing or route of his stop, on instructions from the Secret Service.
Police directing traffic around the Inn would only say someone big came roaring in in the motorcade of six SUVs, four police motorcycles and at least a half dozen Virginia State Police and Williamsburg city police cars from Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport.
Trump squeezed the stopover in between a midday speech in Washington to the Faith and Freedom Coalition, an alliance of evangelicals, Catholics and others that campaigns for conservative causes, and a rally in Richmond.
In Washington, he promised to nominate Supreme Court justices who would uphold the coalition’s values, and who oppose abortion.
He said presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton would appoint radical judges and allow uncontrolled immigration that would deprive Americans of jobs and force them into poverty.
In Williamsburg, security was tight, and the handfuls of curious bystanders were kept well away from the Spa and the Inn’s patio and dining room by police and Secret Service agents.
Not all the senators attending the event seemed to know Trump would be there: Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski was surprised when Williamsburg police directed her and her family away from the Spa.
“I’m Senator Murkowski,” she said. “I’m here for the reception.”
She did not go into the Spa where Trump was meeting other Washington bigwigs.
Trump left Williamsburg at about 6.40 p.m., on his way to the Richmond rally.
Ress can be reached by phone at 757 247 4535. Daily Press reporters Josh Reyes and Tyler Bell contributed to this report.
6:40 update: U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., walked into the Williamsburg Inn Friday. When asked if he would speak with Donald Trump, he said only “maybe later.”
6:15 p.m. update:
Donald Trump walked in using a cellphone to the back of the Williamsburg Inn trailing Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. About 20 people were on hand including a large amount of Secret Service. Several bystanders yelled “The Donald!” as Trump walked by.
David Ayers, 45, expressed surprise when he saw the large crowd outside of the Williamsburg Inn and the Spa of Colonial Williamsburg. “I know Donald Trump isn’t working out in there,” he said.
Previous story:
Presidential candidate Donald Trump landed at Newport News Williamsburg International Airport about 4:30, on his way to a private event in Williamsburg.
Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, is holding a rally in Richmond tonight.
There was no announcement about his stop in Williamsburg, and the event is not open to either the public or press.
His motorcade of six SUVs, escorted by Virginia State Police and Williamsburg police, arrived at the Colonial Williamsburg Inn a little after 5.
According to the Associated Press, Trump is holding a fundraiser with tickets selling for $25,000 per couple.
A number of current and former U.S. senators have been seen at the inn.
Don Murphy, a member of The Spa of Colonial Williamsburg was surprised when he saw the large motorcade outside of the building. “I’m frustrated with the campaign. I can’t get away from it,” he said. Several secret service personnel directed him to another entrance when he tried to go in.
The gathering at the spa ended at about 6 p.m., and about two dozen Washington power brokers, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, headed into the main building of the inn.
Trump, glued to a cell phone, strode into the inn a few minutes after McConnell. Both men waved off questions.
The reception continued behind closed doors at the inn.
This story will be updated.
