The event was part of a heightened fund-raising push by America First Action.

That group and an affiliated nonprofit, America First Policies, want to raise $100 million to advance Mr. Trump’s agenda and help congressional candidates allied with him before a midterm election season expected to be difficult for Republicans.

But through mid-May, America First Action had raised $11.3 million, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission. (The total for America First Policies remains shielded by tax laws, but the group said it had raised about $25 million through the end of last year.) Mr. Trump has attended a handful of events this spring, including gatherings at two Washington residences and at a home in Virginia.

Sensitive to campaign finance rules barring federal officials from soliciting donations greater than $5,400, the White House has been careful to call these events gatherings with supporters, not fund-raisers, although they have a similar effect. The event this week felt like a conference, with several panels geared toward foreign policy, “America First” messaging and a healthy disdain for the news media.

“You guys are genuinely out of touch,” said Ms. Owens, who also serves as a communications director for the conservative group Turning Point USA, after speaking on the media panel.

“I feel like I’m talking to someone who actually thinks everyone else is an idiot,” she said to this reporter.

Panelists, including Ms. Owens, did not pay to attend.

Beyond media criticism, what lessons could donors expect to glean?

It was a question put to Mr. Spicer, who was passing out business cards in the lobby and inviting people to his book release party — “July 24!” — in between panels. His answer: proximity to the president.