LOS ANGELES (AP) — Some of Hollywood’s biggest stars headlined a fundraiser for President Joe Biden that raised more than $30 million, a record total for a Democratic candidate, according to his campaign, in an effort to mobilize potential supporters for a White House race they say could be one of the most consequential in U.S. history.
George Clooney, Julia Roberts and Barbra Streisand were among those who took the stage at the 7,100-seat Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Saturday night. Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel interviewed Biden and former President Barack Obama, both of whom stressed the need to defeat former President Donald Trump in a race that is expected to be extremely close.
During the more than half-hour discussion, Kimmel asked if the country was suffering from amnesia about the likely Republican nominee, to which Biden replied, “We just need to remember what it was like” when Trump was in the White House.
More and more entertainment industry figures are supporting Biden’s campaign, and the importance of the event for his re-election was demonstrated by Biden’s decision to fly through the night across nine time zones to attend the G7 summit in southern Italy.
He also missed a summit in Switzerland to discuss ending Russia’s war in Ukraine, instead sending Vice President Kamala Harris, who made a whirlwind trip of her own, to represent the United States there – a stark reminder of the exquisite balance between geopolitics and Biden’s drive to win a second term.
The political implications were made even clearer by the police in riot gear outside the theater. Nearby, a group of protesters enraged at the Biden administration’s handling of Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza demonstrated.
At the fundraiser, Jack Black and Sheryl Lee sang Ralph, and actors Kathryn Hahn and Jason Bateman introduced Kimmel, who himself introduced Biden and Obama. The comedian said with a grave expression, “I was told I’m being introduced by Batman, not Bateman.”
But he quickly moved on to far more grave issues. “There’s so much at stake in this election,” he said, mentioning women’s rights and health care, and noting that “even the ballot is on the line,” referring to the Biden administration’s calls for expanded voting rights.
Kimmel asked the president what accomplishments he was most proud of, and Biden said he believes “the administration’s approach to the economy is working.”
“We have the strongest economy in the world today,” Biden said, adding, “We’re trying to give ordinary people a fair chance.”
Trump spent Saturday campaigning in Detroit and criticized Biden’s handling of the economy and inflation. The president had “raised funds with out-of-touch, elite Hollywood celebrities,” said Trump’s campaign spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt.
But Biden told the crowd in California, “We have passed every major piece of legislation we set out to pass.” And Obama expressed admiration for the comprehensive legislation on health care, public works, the environment, technology production, gun safety and other significant initiatives overseen by his former vice president’s administration.
“What we’re seeing now is a byproduct of 2016. There were a whole lot of people who didn’t vote for whatever reason,” said Obama, who, like Biden, wore a obscure suit and a white open-collar shirt.
Referring to the Supreme Court, Obama added: “Hopefully we have learned our lesson, because this election matters in very real ways.”
Trump nominated three justices who helped overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark ruling guaranteeing a constitutional right to abortion. The audience expressed displeasure at the mention of Roe, to which Obama responded, “Don’t hiss, vote.” That was a reference to his usual refrain of prioritizing voting over booing.
Biden said the president-elect in November could have the chance to nominate two fresh justices. However, given the current 6-3 conservative majority, a second Biden term would likely not lead to drastic restructuring of the court.
He also said that if Trump were to recapture the White House, the Supreme Court would be “one of the scariest aspects” and that it had “never been this far out of step.”
Biden also referred to reports that an upside-down flag was flying outside the home of Chief Justice Samuel Alito in January 2021 – a symbol associated with Trump’s false claims of election fraud. He expressed fear on Saturday that if Trump is re-elected, he will “appoint two more who will fly their flags upside down.”
Kimmel offered his special brand of humor throughout the evening, at one point asking how a president could take revenge on a talk show host who makes fun of him every night on television.
“Ever heard of Delta Force?” Biden replied, referring to the Army’s special forces unit.
At the beginning of the show, Kimmel mentioned Biden’s campaign promise to restore the soul of America, saying, “Lately, it seems like we need an exorcism.” He then asked Biden, “Is that why you visited the Pope?” Biden and Pope Francis met in Italy on Friday.
The amount raised surpassed the then-record $26 million raised by Biden’s March fundraiser at Radio City Music Hall in New York, where late-night host Stephen Colbert interviewed Biden, Obama and former President Bill Clinton.
Biden initially led the race for campaign funds against Trump, but since formally securing the Republican nomination, the former president has been able to regain ground.
Trump outdid Biden’s New York event by raking in $50.5 million at an April gathering of major donors at the Florida home of billionaire investor John Paulson. The former president’s campaign and the Republican National Committee announced they raised a whopping $141 million in May, boosted by tens of millions of dollars in donations received after Trump’s guilty verdict in his hush money trial.
This post-conviction raise came after Trump and the Republican Party announced they had raised $76 million in April, far more than the $51 million raised by Biden and the Democrats for that month.
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Weissert reported from Washington.
