A book signing event with Donald Trump Jr. took place in Addison

At the event with Donald Trump Jr., organized by McHenry County GOPAC, guests had an opportunity to acquire the best-selling book, “Letters to Trump.”

Photo: Donald Trump Jr. Photo by Natalia Dagenhart

June 8, 1988. The White House, Washington. “Dear Donald: Nancy and I are delighted to send our heartfelt congratulations on your birthday. May the sun shine on your celebration and may all your wishes come true! Our thoughts and warmest regards will be with you for your special day and always. Happy Birthday, and may God bless and keep you for many more. Sincerely, Ronald Reagan.”

That was one of the letters from the book “Letters to Trump,” that caught my attention. A book signing event with Donald Trump Jr. took place at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 27 at Venuti’s Italian Restaurant & Banquet Hall in Addison. Tickets ranged in price from $150 for general admission to $1,500 for a single seat at Don Jr’s table and a photo opportunity with him.

The location that was chosen for this event, Venuti’s Italian Restaurant and Banquet Hall, impressed with its stunning environment and hospitality. The Venuti family was a big sponsor of this event. Gourmet pastries and desserts were presented by the owner of a charming French café Le Chocolat from Naperville, Cathy Bouchard.

Photo: Reception at the event featuring Donald Trump Jr. Photo by Natalia Dagenhart

This highly anticipated event was organized and sponsored by McHenry County GOPAC, a fierce defender of the un-born, the U.S. Constitution, U.S. military, and Judeo-Christian values. McHenry County GOPAC is based in Woodstock, Illinois.

VIP ticket holders had an opportunity to take a picture with Donald Trump Jr. and get a signed copy of “Letters to Trump”. Single Seat at Don Jr’s table tickets included, besides everything else, a seat at Private Roundtable Discussion with Trump Jr., which lasted up to 1/2 hour.

Photo: "Letters to Trump." Photo by Natalia Dagenhart

Darren Bailey, the Republican nominee in the 2022 Illinois gubernatorial election, who is now seeking the Republican nomination for the 12th District Congressional seat, was interviewed by Craig Wall from ABC 7 Eyewitness News before the event. He discussed the situation in Chicago, explained why he stands with Trump, and said what should be done if Trump is convicted.

Karen Tirio, chairman of the McHenry County GOPAC, started the official part of the event. She thanked everyone for attending it and particularly thanked Donald Trump Jr. for coming to Illinois. Pastor Randy Bland, the representative of Grace Association of Schools, and his daughter Hannah Tatum, for whom this presidential election will be first election in her life, prayed for our country and for the future election. The prayer was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the American Anthem performed by Grace Association Children’s Choir. The attendees sang along with the students.

Darren Bailey took the stage and expressed his disappointment about the low voter turn out during the gubernatorial election in Illinois in 2022. “I am not giving up on Illinois, I am not giving up on this amazing nation, I am not giving up on you, I am not giving up on my family, and I encourage you to do the exact same thing,” Bailey said.

Photo: Darren Bailey. Photo by Natalia Dagenhart

Joe Tirio, McHenry County Clerk, took the stage and thanked Karen Tirio and all the organizers of the event for their hard work. He also thanked Addison Police Department for their help and support. The police provided a safe and sound environment inside and outside of the building.

“We need to think differently about elections,” noted Tirio. Voting on election day is not the best, because the voters supporting the other party vote early and by mail. He recommended doing the same. “What if you don’t make it on election day? Don’t let your vote go uncast,” warned Tirio.

Donald Trump Jr. got a standing ovation from more than 350 people who came to support him and hear him talk. He impressed everyone with his light and easy manner of delivering information, sense of humor, and, certainly, with the main points of his speech.

Photo: Donald Trump Jr. Photo by Natalia Dagenhart

“Everything they said Trump would do is happening right now,” Trump Jr. said. He discussed the current dangerous situation in the world and noted that it is escalating. He touched such topics as the virus and where it came from, the situation in Afghanistan, American economy, the current president of the United States, inflation, big pharma, war in the Middle East, Ukraine, Fauci, indoctrination in public schools, and many others. “We need to get back to some common sense,” Trump Jr. summarized.

“Everything that they have done, whether it’s to my father, my family, everyone else, - it’s designed to put you in a corner. They want you to curl up in a ball and die, that is their win. They want you to think that it’s hopeless,” Trump Jr. said. “They want you to think that there is nothing you can do, but you can. But you are not going to get anything done if you hide in that corner. You are not going to get anything done if you are afraid to be vocal. They cannot cancel 150 million Americans.”

Photo: Donald Trump Jr. Photo by Natalia Dagenhart

The attendees of the event looked happy and enthusiastic after hearing Trump Jr. talk.

While being interviewed by Craig Wall from ABC 7 Eyewitness News after the event, Trump Jr. said about his visit to Illinois: “It's not just trying to pick the states that you can win. It's also picking the places where you can make a difference and perhaps move a needle in the congressional count; and so all of that matters.”

Natalia Dagenhart

10/30/23