Trump Hosts Animal Rescue Benefit Days After Firing Puppy Killer

The former president's Mar-a-Lago club hosted a fundraiser for Big Dog Ranch Rescue, the nation's largest cage-free, no-kill animal shelter.

Mar. 8, 2026 at 10:19pm

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Just days after firing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who admitted to killing her 14-month-old puppy, President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago club hosted a three-day fundraising event for Big Dog Ranch Rescue, the nation's largest cage-free, no-kill animal shelter. The event featured appearances by celebrities like Katherine Heigl, Cesar Millan, and Lara Trump, who serves as the event's honorary chair.

Why it matters

The fundraiser highlights Trump's efforts to distance himself from Noem's controversial actions and align himself with animal welfare causes, which could help repair his image among some voters ahead of a potential 2024 presidential run.

The details

The Wine Women & Shoes event at Mar-a-Lago raised funds for Big Dog Ranch Rescue, which has saved over 85,000 dogs since its founding in 2008. The event featured a 'celebrity doggie fashion show' and speeches from attendees like Lara Trump and Fox News personality Jeanine Pirro.

  • The fundraiser took place over a three-day period starting on Friday, March 8, 2026.
  • On the day before the event, Trump announced that Kristi Noem had been replaced as Homeland Security Secretary.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States who allowed his Mar-a-Lago club to host the animal rescue fundraiser.

Kristi Noem

The former Homeland Security Secretary who was fired by Trump after admitting to killing her puppy.

Big Dog Ranch Rescue

The nation's largest cage-free, no-kill animal shelter that was the beneficiary of the fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago.

Lara Trump

The president's daughter-in-law who served as the honorary chair of the Wine Women & Shoes event.

Jeanine Pirro

The Fox News personality who was appointed by Trump as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia and attended the fundraiser.

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What they’re saying

“It's a wonderful organization and a cause that is close to our family's heart, that's why I allowed them to use Mar-a-Lago.”

— Donald Trump

“We've got three more years with this president in our White House, and I would say things are going pretty well.”

— Lara Trump, Honorary Chair

What’s next

The Daily Beast reached out to the White House and DHS for comment, but it is unclear if any further developments will emerge from this story.

The takeaway

Trump's decision to host an animal rescue fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago shortly after firing his Homeland Security Secretary for killing a puppy suggests an effort to rehabilitate his image and align himself with animal welfare causes, which could have political implications as he weighs a potential 2024 presidential run.