President Barack Obama mingled with Democratic leadership and high-powered donors at a New York City mansion on Tuesday, while raising money for the cash-strapped political party.

Democrats are entering the 2018 election cycle amid financial struggles, with many donors declining to give after the party's devastating loss to Donald Trump in 2016.

Even the fundraising event on Tuesday night, which benefited the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and the House Senate Victory Fund, drew few attendees, according to photos captured exclusively by DailyMail.com.

The fundraiser was held at the palatial Upper East Side duplex owned by Dennis Mehiel, a former candidate for New York lieutenant governor and major Democratic donor.

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Barack Obama smiled as he was spotted heading into a Democratic fundraiser in New York City on Tuesday night

The former president waved as he arrived to the Upper East Side $35m duplex for the charity event, co-hosted by Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Chuck Schumer

The fundraiser was held at the palatial Upper East Side Carhart Mansion owned by Dennis Mehiel, a former candidate for New York lieutenant governor and major Democratic donor

Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Chuck Schumer co-hosted the event.

Obama sported a casual look with no tie and his top shirt button undone, along with an all-black suit and black shoes.

He carried a coffee cup as he strolled into the venue with his Secret Service detail.

The former president arrived with four SUV motorcades, while three additional cars full of Secret Service agents waited outside for hours beforehand.

Waiters were seen bringing plates of food out to the Secret Service during the event.

Even the appearance of President Obama, usually a major draw for party contributors, brought only a handful of attendees to the event on Tuesday.

Many Democratic donors have reportedly closed their wallets after the party poured a record $1.5 billion into Hillary Clinton's losing 2016 presidential campaign.

Obama sported a casual look with no tie and his top shirt button undone, along with an all-black suit and black shoes

He carried a coffee cup as he strolled into the venue with his Secret Service detail

Obama mingled with Democratic leadership and high-powered donors on Tuesday

Democrats are entering the 2018 election cycle amid financial struggles, with many donors declining to give after the party's devastating loss to Donald Trump in 2016

The 10,000-square-foot ornate duplex was put on the market for $35 million in 2014

The party is in rebuilding mode, but donors are reportedly concerned that Democratic leadership has yet to provide an 'autopsy' of the presidential loss and a detailed plan to move the party forward, according to Politico.

The fundraiser was held at the home of Dennis Mehiel, a 10,000-square-foot duplex at the Carhart Mansion in the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

The space was put on the market for $35 million in 2014.

Obama looked to be in high spirits in his latest public outing after being dismissed from jury duty in Chicago last week.

The former leader of the free world was the only juror to arrive by a six-vehicle motorcade, accompanied by tight security and met by a throng of news media.

Eventually, Obama was placed on a jury panel, but when that panel wasn't needed, he was allowed to go home. If he decides to remain registered in Chicago, his name won't be called for at least another year.

Like all prospective jurors, Obama earned $17.20 for his day of service, which is actually pretty good considering he was only there two hours.

Later that night, waiters brought plates of food out to the Secret Service as the night drew a small number of attendees

The dishes looked elegant, served on white dishes, and hand delivered to the Secret Service

The former president arrived with four SUV motorcades, while three additional cars full of Secret Service waited outside for hours beforehand

Obama looked to be in high spirits in his latest public outing after being dismissed from jury duty in Chicago last week

The fundraiser was held at the palatial Upper East Side duplex owned by Dennis Mehiel (pictured), a former candidate for New York lieutenant governor and major Democratic donor

Obama is not the first U.S. president to show up for a service that some Americans either dread or find excuses to avoid.

Obama's predecessor in the White House, George W. Bush, responded to a jury summons in 2015.

And shortly after announcing his candidacy in 2015, now-President Trump reported for jury duty in Manhattan Supreme Court. Trump also wasn't selected for a case.

While the Obamas currently live in Washington D.C., the former president and former first lady Michelle Obama maintain a home in Chicago, the city where he got his political start.

Obama's D.C. office space raised eyebrows when his budget request pushed him past all of his predecessors when it came to his post-presidential office space paid for by the government.

Even the appearance of President Obama, usually a major draw for party contributors, brought only a handful of attendees to the event on Tuesday. Pictured: Guests arriving

Some attendees of the small gathering looked thrilled as they headed into the swanky residence, worth around $35 million

Wealthy guests arrived to the mansion in black cars, ready to shell out money to the Democratic party

Obama's $1,153,000 budget request for 2018 surpasses former President George W. Bush's by $100,000, the Washington Times reported.

The request is also $200,000 more than former President Bill Clinton – who maintains his post-presidency office in Harlem.

All living former presidents could learn something from President Jimmy Carter, whose budget is just $456,000, with an Atlanta-based office.

The big ticket item running up Obama's costs is his Washington, D.C. office, costing $536,000 in annual rent, and filling 8,198 of prime Washington, D.C. real estate.

Many Democratic donors have reportedly closed their wallets, after the party poured a record $1.5 billion into Hillary Clinton's losing 2016 presidential campaign