RI Governor Cancels Event Connected With Trump Ally

PROVIDENCE, RI — Gov. Dan McKee caused a stir with Rhode Island's Republican Party after he abruptly canceled a planned event connected with a top official with former President Donald Trump's reelection campaign.

The event was a fundraiser, that was to be cohosted by Gerald Zarrella, the co-chair of the former president's 2020 campaign, The Public's Radio reported. In a statement, McKee said he became aware of the details of the event on Friday afternoon and requested it be canceled.

"I do not want to be associated with Donald Trump in any way, shape, or form," McKee said. "I do not like Trump…he is dishonest, divisive, and his 'Big Lie' is a threat to our democracy. There is no place for a Trump spokesperson to cohost any event I am involved in."

The Rhode Island Republican Party blasted McKee for the decision, calling the governor "weak" and "divisive," and saying that Zarella's involvement was well known before Friday. The decision was made to cancel only after the media reported on the event that McKee chose to "vilify someone who had supported President Trump," the statement alleged.

"Not only is McKee weak, and now divisive, but he is also blatantly inconsistent," the statement read in part. "He doesn’t want a vocal Trump supporter hosting a fundraiser, yet for his inauguration he had Father Marciano give a benediction. Father Marciano told his parishioners in 2016 that voting for Clinton would put their soul in danger. So it's ok for Father Marciano to give the benediction at your inauguration, but it's wrong for you to attend an event hosted by Zarrella? You are not making any sense Governor McKee."