Thursday night’s event at Radio City Music Hall in New York saw former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton come together with Hollywood stars to support President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign, raising a record-setting $25 million. The event featured glowing endorsements for Biden, with Obama praising his outstanding job as president and Clinton stating that democracy around the world needs him for another term. The mood was electric as the trio of presidents shared the stage, joking about Trump’s legal troubles and highlighting the need for Democratic support ahead of the upcoming election.
Biden took the opportunity to take a jab at his expected GOP rival, Donald Trump, criticizing his outdated ideas and emphasizing the need for new leadership. The fundraising event, attended by more than 5,000 supporters, was a star-studded affair with performances by entertainers like Lizzo and Mindy Kaling serving as the emcee. Protesters expressing concern over Biden’s handling of the war in Gaza briefly disrupted the show, prompting Biden to promise continued efforts to prevent civilian deaths while acknowledging Israel’s security concerns.
The fundraising event had various tiers of access based on donor generosity, with tickets selling for as low as $225 and top donors getting opportunities for photos with the presidents and exclusive receptions. The event included an after-party hosted by First Lady Jill Biden and DJ D-Nice, further boosting the campaign’s financial advantage over Trump. Biden currently has a significant cash advantage, with $155 million in cash on hand compared to $37 million for Trump, highlighting the strong enthusiasm for Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
The substantial fundraising haul from the New York City event demonstrates strong support for Biden and Harris and their vision for the future. Campaign co-chair Jeffrey Katzenberg noted that every dollar raised will be used to reach voters and communicate Biden’s historic record and campaign message. Trump’s campaign is also gearing up for a major fundraiser in Palm Beach, Florida, hoping to raise $33 million, although concerns have been raised about the campaign’s infrastructure readiness for a general election battle.
The event at Radio City Music Hall brought together more than three decades of Democratic leadership, with Obama and Clinton’s presence reinforcing their support for Biden’s campaign. The fundraiser is seen as a pivotal moment for Biden’s campaign, allowing him to broaden and reinforce support among Democrats and develop a compelling message for his reelection bid. With Obama and Clinton’s political communication expertise, the event aimed to energize supporters and showcase Biden’s strong leadership in contrast to Trump’s record on public safety and law enforcement.
