Fox News reported that James Talarico, who is running for the US Senate in Texas, and Sherrod Brown headlined a Monday evening fundraiser in Manhattan hosted by celebrity jewelry designer Alexis Bittar. Contribution levels ranged from $500 to $27,000, and actor Robert De Niro was listed among the hosts, according to an invitation cited by the Washington Free Beacon.
The host’s past remarks
Fox News highlighted prior comments in which Bittar described the United States as a “sh—hole.” In a separate interview with Forbes, Bittar said the American flag had become “a symbol of aggression” during Donald Trump’s political rise.
Talarico’s earlier comment on the flag
Fox News previously reported that Talarico called the American flag a “complicated symbol” ahead of Independence Day.
What we don’t know
The invitation and host list referenced by Fox News were not independently reviewed here. The materials cited did not include a direct response from Talarico or Bittar regarding the fundraiser or the prior remarks.
