Behind The Scenes With Jackie Horvath: Scheduling and Planning For An Eric Trump Visit
- Logan Foster
- Jul 1
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 1
Title: Behind The Scenes With Jackie Horvath: Scheduling and Planning For An Eric Trump Visit
Author: Logan Foster
Date: 07/01/2025 On June 20, 2025, the St. Joseph County GOP held its historic Lincoln Day Dinner, marking a record-breaking evening with nearly 500 attendees. The event, highlighted by Eric Trump as the keynote speaker, celebrated the party’s milestones and the impactful leadership of Jackie Horvath. Redress South Bend had the privilege of speaking with Horvath about her vision, accomplishments, and the significance of the night.
Q: The Lincoln Day Dinner saw an impressive turnout with approximately 500 attendees. What was the vision behind this event, and how did you bring it to life?
Jackie Horvath: "The vision was to raise funds. But along with that, we were also celebrating the 'golden age of America,' the time we've had with the Trump administration and Republicans holding both houses of Congress. Locally, we've achieved so much as well, with Republicans holding 13 of 24 county seats and an overwhelming Republican presence in towns and townships throughout the County. It’s a great time to be a Republican and to celebrate those accomplishments. Also, this year, being a non-election year, we didn’t need to focus heavily on candidates. Instead, we emphasized on messaging and what we can do to make our community and country better."
Securing Eric Trump
Q: Can you share the process of booking Eric Trump and how your team developed the relationship that made that possible?
Jackie Horvath: "Eric Trump is in high demand. He is also very expensive as well. We considered a few other speakers but decided to go big with someone as impactful as Eric. We knew it would elevate the event from local to regional... Once we reached out, he confirmed within about a week. Of course, part of the deal was a speaking fee and arranging for his travel. He was coming from upstate New York, we coordinated his flight and a strict timeline so he could return home to his family that same evening. The logistics were tricky, but it all came together."
Coordinating with Secret Service
Q: Hosting a speaker like Eric Trump, the son of a sitting United States president, involves collaboration with the Secret Service. Can you share a little bit of what went on behind the scenes?
Jackie Horvath: "The coordination with the Secret Service was a massive undertaking, and I have to give credit to Sam Barke, who managed those logistics. Anyone who would come into contact with Eric had to be vetted, from attendees to kitchen staff working backstage. Social Security numbers, background checks—you name it, they did it.... We also had to meticulously plan Eric’s walking paths. Doors were blocked off, security positioned at key areas—we knew exactly how he’d get to the roundtable, the VIP room, and the stage. What was remarkable is how seamless it all appeared. The guests didn’t feel overwhelmed by the security, but we all knew it was there."
A Memorable Moment
Q: Reflecting on the event, what moment stands out to you as particularly rewarding or memorable?
Jackie Horvath: "There are so many great moments, but one that stands out was when Eric first arrived. He stepped out of his car, looked at us dressed up, and remarked, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m going to need a tie.’ It was interesting and showed how personable he is. He went back to his car, grabbed a tie, and joined us... I respect his dad, I respect him, and then him coming on stage and then giving a shout out to Sam (Barke) and I, it was kind of cute, about him coming out of retirement (for this event), I appreciated that."
A New Record and Looking Ahead
Q: It sounds like the event was a success. How much did you raise, and how do you plan to build on your momentum?
Jackie Horvath: "We brought in approximately $270,000 in revenue, and we're going to net around $120,000. It's the largest amount of money that's been raised at a Lincoln Day ever in St. Joe County history. So that's exciting. But what's also exciting is I can see ways to do better next year." Horvath also provided some background on the LDD auction: "A professional auctioneer made all the difference. During a break between the roundtable and dinner, Eric, Sam (Barke), and I were chatting in his holding room. Eric asked about the plans for the rest of the evening, and we mentioned the auction. Without hesitation, he said, 'Why don’t you add a night at Mar-a-Lago for two with dinner? I’ll personally take care of it.' We were stunned but thrilled. That single item became our biggest auction draw, raising $15,000."
Horvath already has her sights set on 2026's Lincoln Day Dinner and how she and the SJCGOP can continue with their forward momentum: "Looking to the future, we’re already planning next year’s dinner. We’ll start earlier to align it with the primary season, possibly March or April. While we love having national figures like Eric, we may focus more locally to keep building energy and engagement."
When speaking with Horvath, Barke, and other event organizers, they expressed their appreciation for the Pokagon Band Tribal Police and the Four Winds Casino Hotel staff for their role in this successful event. Pokagon Band Chair Wesaw also shared his enthusiasm and attended the event alongside his wife.
For more information on the St. Joseph County GOP or ways to get involved, visit their website here!
