Trump Knocks Bush, Pumps Up Patriots During Fundraiser at Boch's Estate

Donald Trump spoke Friday evening during a fundraiser at the home of a famed New England car dealer.

Ernie Boch Jr. hosted the Republican frontrunner in Norwood, Massachusetts. More than 1,000 guests were charged $100 to attend, but the candidate insists this isn't about raising money.

"This is not a fundraiser tonight," he said.

In fact, Boch says the party is not an endorsement, either — he says he's curious about the candidate and wants to know more. He said he hopes his guests have fun and come away with a better understanding of Trump.

"Whether they like him, fine, if they hate him, fine. I'm not going to try to convince anybody to vote for him or not to vote for him," said Boch. "I just want to have him over here and up close and personal."

Outside the iron gates of the sprawling mega mansion, dozens of protesters gathered, hoping to point out that Trump is pro-life.

"We're going to hold him accountable," protester Christian Miron said. "Donald Trump opposes a woman's right to safe, legal abortion care."

But some women told necn they don't vote solely based on reproductive rights.

"There's so many other issues out there that are important," said one attendee. "I'm concerned about kids in the inner city getting better education, and I'm going to ask Mr. Trump about that today."

Boch added that he thinks Trump "could tone down on some of the stuff he says about women."

"I'm pro-choice. I'm socially liberal and fiscally conservative," he said.

And Trump did soften his tone when asked about female voters.

"I cherish women," he said. "My daughter and my wife said, 'You have to talk about that,' because they know how I feel."

He used the issue to fire a shot at fellow Republican candidate Jeb Bush.

"Bush said he didn't want to fund women's health issues, and then he came back a few hours later and said he misspoke," said Trump.

Asked why he often attacks Bush, Trump got another jab in.

"I would say Jeb Bush is a frequent target because when this whole thing started, I thought he was going to be the primary competition," said Trump. "He's drifted very much to the middle of the pack and he's rapidly disappearing, so we're going to have to start looking at somebody else."

He also addressed recent gun violence.

"We have a problem with mental health in this country," said Trump. "Whave to take care of people and we have to find out who these people are."

With his feud with Boston Mayor Marty Walsh fresh in everyone's memory, Trump was asked his thoughts on the local leader.

"Honestly, I don't know him. I don't know him. He said something nasty about me and then I said, 'You failed on the Olympics.' And he failed," said Trump. "I hope he does a great job as mayor, but I really don't know him."

From there, he segued less than seamlessly into something sure to gain the favor of Patriots fans.

"I do know Tom Brady, who's great, Bob Kraft, who's great, and Coach [Bill] Belichick, who's great. Those people I know, but those are real winners," said Trump. "Leave Tom Brady alone, right? We love Tom Brady!"

Brady's former teammate, offensive tackle Matt Light loves the Donald, too.

"I think that what most people want in this country is somebody that's going to be honest, they're going to be open, and they're going to say it the way they see it," said Light. "And I can't see anybody else but Donald Trump fitting that bill."

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