In a remarkable show of support, Hollywood’s biggest stars came together to help President Joe Biden’s campaign, raising an unprecedented $30 million. This event, described as one of the most significant fundraisers for a Democratic candidate, aimed to rally support for an election that many consider crucial for the future of the United States.
The fundraiser took place at the Peacock Theater in L.A. and featured appearances by George Clooney, Julia Roberts, and Barbra Streisand. Jimmy Kimmel, the late-night talk show host, moderated a discussion between Biden and Barack Obama. The conversation emphasized the importance of defeating former President Donald Trump in the upcoming election, which is expected to be extremely competitive.
During the discussion, Kimmel asked whether Americans had forgotten the Trump presidency. Biden responded by urging people to remember the experiences during Trump’s time in office. This event highlighted the significant role of the entertainment industry in Biden’s campaign, underscored by Biden’s swift travel from the G7 summit in Italy to attend the fundraiser in California, crossing nine time zones overnight.
Vice President Kamala Harris attended a summit in Switzerland on Biden’s behalf, demonstrating the tightrope the administration walks between international duties and the re-election campaign. Outside the theater, police in riot gear managed protests from demonstrators critical of Biden’s policies regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The evening included performances by Jack Black and Sheryl Lee Ralph, and stars Kathryn Hahn and Jason Bateman invited Kimmel. Kimmel brought a mix of humor and seriousness to the event, stressing the high stakes of the election and highlighting key issues like women’s rights and healthcare. He also emphasized the importance of expanding voting rights.
Kimmel asked Biden about his administration’s accomplishments, to which Biden cited the robust state of the U.S. economy and efforts to create equal opportunities for all citizens. Meanwhile, Trump was campaigning in Detroit, where he criticized Biden’s economic policies and rising inflation. Trump’s campaign spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, dismissed Biden’s event as out-of-touch with ordinary Americans.
Biden assured attendees that his administration had successfully enacted significant legislation. Obama praised the administration’s achievements in healthcare, infrastructure, environmental protection, technology manufacturing, and gun safety.
Reflecting on the 2016 election, Obama urged the audience to recognize the critical importance of voting, referencing the lasting impact of Trump’s Supreme Court appointments, which resulted in the overturning of Roe v. Wade. He encouraged the crowd to prioritize voting over passive discontent.
Biden highlighted the potential for the next president to nominate new Supreme Court justices, though he acknowledged that substantial changes to the current conservative majority were unlikely. He also expressed concerns about future court appointments under another Trump presidency, referencing reports of a flag symbolizing Trump’s election fraud claims being flown outside Justice Samuel Alito’s home.
Throughout the event, Kimmel’s humor provided levity. He joked about presidential revenge on talk-show hosts, with Biden responding with a reference to the Army’s Delta Force. Kimmel also made light of Biden’s campaign promise to bring back America’s soul, humorously suggesting an exorcism might be necessary, alluding to Biden’s recent meeting with Pope Francis.
This fundraiser surpassed previous records, such as the $26 million raised at a March event in New York featuring Stephen Colbert doing a Q&A With Biden, Obama, and Bill Clinton. While Biden initially led in fundraising, Trump has since closed the gap, significantly bolstered by major donations following his criminal trial conviction. An April event at billionaire John Paulson’s Florida home raised $50.5 million for Trump, contributing to a substantial $141 million raised by Trump and the Republican National Committee in May, far surpassing Biden and the Democrats’ $51 million for the same period.