President Joe Biden arrived in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday night for a star-studded fundraiser expected to raise at least $28 million, the largest amount of cash raised by a one-night event in Democratic history.
Former President Obama, George Clooney and Julia Roberts are among the headliners at the Live Peacock Theater party in Los Angeles. Thousands of Biden supporters paid ticket packages ranging from $250 (for seats away from the stage) to $500,000 (which included prime seats, photos with the two presidents and a VIP after-party) to attend what would have been the president’s event. The last big fundraiser in Los Angeles before the November election.
“This Saturday, we’re going to see unprecedented, record-breaking turnout across the media and entertainment community,” said media mogul Jeffrey Katzenberg, a huge Democratic donor and the president’s re-election campaign The only non-elected official among campaign co-chairs. “The enthusiasm and commitment for Biden-Harris could not be greater. We all know this is the most important election of our lifetimes.
Biden arrived at the theater around 5:30 p.m. and was expected to take photos with dignitaries ahead of the main event, which is scheduled to begin around 6:30 p.m.
Governor Gavin Newsom; Representatives Ted Lieu, Robert Garcia, Nanette Diaz Barragán, Grace F. Napolitano; Los Angeles City Councilman Kevin de Leon; Singer Paul Anka; Katzenberg before the fundraiser Ge is wandering around.
The event took place at a critical time when Biden is competing with former President Trump to win the White House.
While Democrats have outraised Republicans in California and across the country, donations have surged since Trump was convicted in late May of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, paying adult film actor Stormy Daniels about For $130,000, Daniels claimed he had sex in Lake Tahoe during a golf tournament in an attempt to influence the 2016 presidential election.
Earlier this month, the former president raised money for the first time since his conviction in California.
The money flowing through California for both 2024 nominees comes at a worrying time. National and battleground state polls show a tight race. Voters are anxious about domestic economic problems as well as global turmoil — the long-running wars between Russia and Ukraine and between Israel and Hamas — and some are indifferent to Biden and Trump, in part because of their age.
On Saturday afternoon, private security personnel blocked access to the Los Angeles venue, allowing only pedestrians to enter the restaurant to dine. Los Angeles Police Department officers strolled the sidewalks in pairs. Outside, well-dressed fundraiser attendees mingled with tourists in T-shirts.
About 125 pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside Crypto.com Arena around 5 p.m., chanting: “Biden, Biden, you are a liar. We demand a ceasefire.”
Late Friday night, Biden left the G7 summit – where Western leaders gathered to focus on global issues such as trade, economics and security – and a private meeting with Pope Francis in Italy. The president arrived in Los Angeles at dawn on Saturday after refueling at an Air Force base in Maryland.
How Biden spent his time after landing is unknown; but his son Hunter, who lives in Malibu, was convicted this week of three firearm felonies. In February, on Hunter Biden’s 54th birthday, Biden spent about 90 minutes at the Ivy Restaurant with his son and grandson.
Biden Jr. has not yet been sentenced on the gun charges and will almost certainly appeal. He also faces nine federal tax-related charges in California.
