$1,000 a plate just to get in, up to $200,000 for the big enchilada- which was a table for ten, 4 VIP passes to the meet and greet, 4 VIP pictures, publication in the official program and recognized as a Chairman level sponsor... and possibly, a perk or two else that escapes me at the moment.
I acknowledge that Trump had an advantage... he probably knew most of the big money folks personally... but Cruz could have done something different.
He did a Tonight Show appearance last night, with a skit where he had a phone call with Donald Trump (played by Fallon). It was funny and he made fun of himself a little bit.
It was the most human Cruz has appeared. So, he could have done something... he just chose not to.