President Biden is expected to raise over $25 million at a fundraising event in New York City, featuring former Democratic Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. The campaign has billed it as the “most successful political fundraiser in American history.” This event’s success followed a pattern of successful fundraisers for Biden, with examples such as a swing through Texas that raised $7 million and a fundraiser in Raleigh, North Carolina that raised $2.3 million. Biden’s largest single-day haul prior to this event was $10 million following his State of the Union address earlier in March.
Thursday’s fundraiser in New York City set a new record for the campaign, illustrating a growing cash gap between Biden and his presumptive general election opponent, former President Donald Trump. Trump raised significantly less, with $20 million in February and $8.8 million in January. Trump’s campaign has also faced financial challenges, with over $10 million spent on legal fees in the current year. Biden’s campaign committees have more than double the cash on hand compared to Trump’s, with $155 million for Biden and $74 million for Trump as of late March.
Biden’s campaign emphasized that all funds raised are going towards reaching voters, highlighting the President’s achievements, vision for the future, and the stakes of the election. In response, Trump’s campaign sent out fundraising emails mentioning Biden’s event, urging Trump supporters to donate to beat the “Obama-Clinton cartel.” The New York City fundraiser at Radio City Music Hall was hosted by Mindy Kaling and featured performances by musical guests such as Queen Latifah, Lizzo, and Ben Platt, culminating in a discussion between Biden, Obama, and Clinton moderated by Stephen Colbert.
The event saw the sale of over 5,000 tickets, indicating strong support for Biden and his campaign. The star-studded fundraiser underscored the significant financial advantage Biden has over Trump, as well as the notable support he has garnered from influential figures in entertainment and politics. With the continued success of fundraising efforts, Biden’s campaign is well-positioned to support its messaging and outreach to voters leading up to the election. As the presidential race intensifies, fundraising events like this one will play a crucial role in shaping the narrative and resources available to each candidate.
