Will & Grace star Debra Messing on Friday demanded a list of attendees at an upcoming fundraiser for President Trump in Beverly Hills be revealed “because the public has a right to know.”
The Hollywood Reporter disclosed Trump will attend the fundraiser on Sept. 17 during a trip to California, where he will also visit the San Francisco Bay Area and San Diego. The Primetime Emmy Awards will be held in Los Angeles the same week.
Messing shared the same sentiment as her Will & Grace co-star Eric McCormack, who requested the Hollywood Reporter should reveal all names of the fundraisers’ guests so they can be ostracized.
“Hey, @THR, kindly report on everyone attending this event, so the rest of us can be clear about who we don’t wanna work with. Thx,” McCormack wrote.
Hey, @THR, kindly report on everyone attending this event, so the rest of us can be clear about who we don’t wanna work with. Thx. https://t.co/7W3xPG3bI2
— Eric McCormack (@EricMcCormack) August 30, 2019
Later that night, Messing chimed in on the high-profile event.
“Please print a list of all attendees please. The public has a right to know,” Messing said.
Please print a list of all attendees please. The public has a right to know. https://t.co/YV4UoxrPHI
— Debra Messing (@DebraMessing) August 31, 2019
Trump bashed Messing for her comments in a tweet on Sunday.
“I have not forgotten that when it was announced that I was going to do The Apprentice, and when it then became a big hit, helping NBC’s failed lineup greatly, @DebraMessing came up to me at an Upfront & profusely thanked me, even calling me “Sir.” How times have changed!” Trump tweeted.
I have not forgotten that when it was announced that I was going to do The Apprentice, and when it then became a big hit, helping NBC’s failed lineup greatly, @DebraMessing came up to me at an Upfront & profusely thanked me, even calling me “Sir.” How times have changed!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 1, 2019
Messing and McCormack drew comparisons to McCarthyism on Twitter, a reference to former Republican Sen. Joseph McCarthy’s calls for a blacklist of Communist supporters from spheres of influence, such as the U.S. government and the film industry.
Conservative actor Dean Cain responded to Messing’s tweet, saying he would have gone to the fundraiser if not for a prior commitment.
“I’m not attending, because I’ll be out of town. Otherwise, I’d have been happy to attend,” Cain told Messing.
I’m not attending, because I’ll be out of town. Otherwise, I’d have been happy to attend. https://t.co/VWPbuPPQi9
— Dean Cain (@RealDeanCain) August 31, 2019
Tickets for the fundraiser can be bought for as cheap as $1,000 and includes combinations of tickets that can cost up to $100,000.
Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, RNC co-chairman Tommy Hicks Jr., Trump 2020 campaign manager Brad Parscale, and Trump Victory finance chairman Todd Ricketts are reported to be hosts for the event.
