Donald Trump is preparing to hold an intimate indoor election night party at the White House tomorrow night as crews are building a ‘non-scalable’ fence around the complex.
The barrier will include blocking off the Ellipse, a large green area south of the White House, and Lafayette Square to the north.
As indications of unrest in the Nation’s Capital emerge as it’s likely results of the election will still be unknown Tuesday night, 250 National Guardsmen have also been put on standby to report to Metro Police officials.
The guest list for Trump’s party includes 400 of his closest allies, advisers and loyalists.
A White House official said Sunday that all attendees will be tested for COVID-19 prior to the indoor gathering in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic – as public health officials recommend all mass events be held outdoors to lessen the risk of spreading the disease.
Former Vice President Joe Biden plans to spend election night in his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware, his campaign said.
Trump’s Tuesday night party originally was supposed to be held at Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C., just a few blocks from the White House.
Campaign emails even promoted that donors could enter for a chance to win a trip to attend the party at the hotel – where Trump was supposed to make an appearance.
The New York Times, however, reported Friday that the president dropped plans to show up at his hotel, preferring to watch the returns from the White House.
The East Room, likely where guests will be hosted for the party, is the largest room in the White House mansion.
Despite health officials’ warnings about the risks of large gatherings amid the prevailing coronavirus pandemic, Trump has also continued to bring together big groups of people together for outdoor campaign rallies and events at the White House.
A number of people who attended the September 26 Rose Garden event announcing Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination to the Supreme Court later tested positive for the virus.
The outbreak caused Trump, first lady Melania and their son Barron, among about a dozen others, to fall ill to COVID.
Polls taken in the days leading up to the election show Trump trailing Democratic challenger Joe Biden, though the contest is closer in the competitive states that will decide the outcome.
More than 93 million Americans have voted early, and officials in several states, including Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, say it could take several days to count all the mail ballots, possibly leading to days of uncertainty if the outcome hinges on those states.
Our JimHeath.TV analysis, however, forecasts a Biden win Tuesday night.
