Trump Was in East Hampton, But Not Everybody Was Thrilled

Donald Trump’s visit to East Hampton last weekend left a few unhappy people in its wake, angry that they could not get to a village beach near the house where he was speaking.

A fund-raiser for the Republican presidential nominee was held on Saturday evening at the home of Woody Johnson, the owner of the New York Jets, on Highway Behind the Pond. From about 5 to 7 p.m., drivers heading for Wiborg’s Beach were turned away, though residents of the road and their guests were allowed through.

Village Police Chief Gerard Larsen, who was out of town, said the Secret Service had requested the road closure to ensure that the candidate’s 10-car motorcade was not blocked. “There were some people who were angered the road was closed,” Chief Larsen said. Village Hall received no complaints, according to the village administrator, Rebecca Molinaro.

While he recognized it was inconvenient to the evening beachgoers, “at the request of the Secret Service for safety issues, we decided it was best,” the chief said. He pointed out also that the department anticipated the parking lot at Wiborg’s would be full with the overflow from the event. Parking is not allowed by the side of the road.

There were no problems or protesters at the event, which had received comparatively little publicity. Eleven village police officers and 15 state troopers were brought on to assist the Secret Service in watching the perimeter of the house, the chief said.

About 60 people attended the Trump fund-raiser.

Nearby at the Maidstone Club, earlier that day, former President George W. Bush played a round of golf. One officer was assigned to assist his Secret Service detail, Chief Larsen said.

Fund-raisers for Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential nominee, will be held next weekend.