Biden’s LA Fundraiser: As part of a star-studded fundraiser, the Biden campaign and its supporters have raised $28 million so far, shattering the record for the Democratic Party’s greatest fundraising event, the campaign revealed on Saturday.
Shortly before President Joe Biden‘s appearance at the Los Angeles fundraiser with former President Barack Obama, celebrities George Clooney and Julia Roberts, and comedian Jimmy Kimmel, the enormous haul was revealed.
In a statement, campaign co-chair Jeffrey Katzenberg predicted that “this Saturday we are going to see an unprecedented and record setting turn out from the media and entertainment world.” “There is unmatched fervor and dedication for Biden/Harris. We are all aware that this election is the most significant of our lives.
The funds from the event “will be used to open offices, hire organizers, and launch paid media campaigns to communicate directly” with voters, according to a campaign official.
In the hours before the dinner, the Biden campaign accepted contributions as well, so the exact amount could not be known until later on Saturday night.
The Democratic National Committee has been contacted by NBC News to inquire if the event exceeded fundraising records. Since the Federal Election Commission’s data does not instantly reflect the funding figures, NBC News is unable to independently confirm the allegation.
The amount donated at the fundraiser on Saturday is allegedly more than what was raised at the celebrity-filled event in New York City in March. The Biden campaign claimed that the $26 million raised at the event made it the biggest Democratic fundraiser to date.
The Los Angeles event, like the one in New York, had a comedian moderating a discussion between the presidents. Obama and Biden had a discussion that was mediated by Jimmy Kimmel. Stephen Colbert led a discussion with Biden, Obama, and former President Bill Clinton at the March fundraiser.
The discussion that took place on Saturday between Kimmel, Biden, and Obama covered a wide range of policy topics, including—perhaps not surprisingly—the former president Donald Trump.
“The progress we’ve achieved is incredible. Referring to Trump, Biden said, “He wants to get rid of it all.”
Obama said, referencing Trump’s conviction and other legal troubles, “I think part of what has happened over the last several years is we’ve normalized behavior that used to be disqualifying,”
As he continued, Biden implied that Trump will “appoint two more flying flags upside down,” alluding to the issue surrounding Justice Samuel Alito. He predicted that the man who wins the president in November would probably propose two Supreme Court justices during his tenure.
The Supreme Court has “never been as out of kilter as it is today,” he concluded.
During the interview, Kimmel also commended the Affordable Care Act, citing his son’s heart ailment—a problem he has previously mentioned. Biden stressed that Republicans “would be hurting the nation significantly” if they repealed the Affordable Care Act.
Obama added during the discussion, “I take great pride in what the Biden administration has accomplished.” “And it’s a reminder that we don’t have to just vote against something in this election.”
Along with performances, a number of celebrities, including Kathryn Hahn, Jason Bateman, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Jack Black, attended the event on Saturday. First lady Jill Biden was presented by Barbra Streisand, who praised her efforts on women’s health and education.
The first lady underlined that morality had a major role in the election. Voters, according to her, have the option of choosing Biden or “someone who wakes up every morning caring about one person and one person only: himself.”
In the fight for cash, the Biden campaign led with over $84 million at the end of April, the month the most current FEC report was made public. By comparison, the Trump campaign had more over $49 million at the end of the same time.
Following his sentencing last month, the Trump campaign announced that it and its backers raised over $34 million. The assertion cannot be independently verified by NBC News since the May FEC records are not yet accessible.