Celebrities and elites in American society and industry have donated large sums of money to President Biden’s re-election campaign, potentially undermining his image as a man of the people. Hollywood stars such as George Clooney, Julia Roberts, and Barbra Streisand attended a star-studded fundraiser that raised $30 million in donations for Biden. This comes at a time of high inflation and as Biden portrays himself as coming from humble roots in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The 2023-2024 election cycle is expected to be the most expensive in history, with Forbes reporting political ad spending could exceed $10 billion. Biden’s campaign has been boosted by high-profile fundraisers with Hollywood stars, including appearances from Broadway performers and musicians.
Biden has been actively seeking donations from celebrities and moneyed elites in order to fund his re-election campaign. High-profile events in cities like Los Angeles and Boston have attracted figures like Steven Spielberg and Taylor Swift. Vice President Kamala Harris has also participated in fundraisers with Hollywood stars such as Wendell Pierce and Mindy Kaling. The Biden-Harris campaign raised $97 million in the last three months of 2023, with much of this money coming from events with Hollywood celebrities. The campaign continued to court stars like Queen Latifah and Lizzo at Radio City in March, raising over $26 million.
Despite Biden’s success in fundraising, former President Trump has been closing the gap, with large contributions coming in after Trump’s conviction in a New York criminal trial. Both Trump and the RNC have been outraising Biden and the DNC, despite not yet launching a general election ad buy. Trump has focused on high-profile fundraisers at his Mar-a-Lago estate and other wealthy areas, with little involvement from Hollywood celebrities. This has led to criticism from Trump’s camp, calling Biden’s supporters elitist Hollywood celebrities, and raising questions about the impact of these fundraisers on Biden’s image.
Critics have also taken aim at the high-profile nature of Biden’s fundraisers, arguing that it may not be the best look for the Democratic Party, especially as inflation remains a pressing issue for voters. A Wall Street Journal op-ed criticized the Democratic Party’s dependency on Hollywood money and the potential consequences of this reliance in the current political climate. The op-ed highlighted the contrast between Biden’s Hollywood fundraisers and Trump’s campaign events in places like Detroit, suggesting that Trump may be making inroads with demographics traditionally aligned with the Democratic Party.
Biden’s campaign faced criticism last month when actor Robert DeNiro made inflammatory remarks about Trump at a campaign event. DeNiro was shouted down by Trump supporters, and the event was widely criticized on social media. Some viewed it as a misstep for Democrats and a departure from the more serious tone of traditional political discourse. The Biden campaign has not responded to questions about the impact of star-studded fundraisers on Biden’s image and messaging during a time of economic uncertainty. As the 2024 election continues to unfold, the role of celebrity donors and high-profile fundraisers in shaping the narrative of the campaigns will be closely watched.
