Biden headlines exclusive NYC fundraiser featuring Obama and Clinton
US President Joe Biden is gearing up to headline an unprecedented fundraising event in New York City, joined by former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.
The fundraiser is expected to shatter records by raising more than $25 million for Biden’s re-election campaign, marking it as the most lucrative single political event in history, according to his team.
The event is poised to widen the financial chasm between Biden and his Republican adversary Donald Trump. Biden’s campaign recently disclosed a cash reserve of $155 million, while Trump, despite his lower cash holdings and ongoing legal battles, continues to remain competitive in national polls against Biden.
The star-studded Democratic fundraiser, scheduled for Thursday night at Radio City Music Hall, anticipates over 5,000 attendees, with many more tuning in online. Late-night host Stephen Colbert will moderate a conversation with the trio of presidents, while actress Mindy Kaling will serve as the host, and musical performances by Lizzo, Queen Latifah, and Lea Michele will further enhance the allure of the event.
First Lady Jill Biden will host an exclusive after-party for 500 guests, including the president’s son, Hunter Biden, and his family. Ticket prices range from $225 to half a million dollars, with the top-tier option offering guests the opportunity to take a photo with all three presidents, snapped by renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz, for $100,000.
Accompanied by Obama on Air Force One, Biden’s arrival in New York triggered a frenzy, with the presidential motorcade navigating through Manhattan amidst heavy rain. Biden’s previous best single-day fundraising effort was $10 million following his State of the Union address earlier this month. The advantage of incumbency has significantly bolstered his fundraising prowess.
While Biden continues to galvanize donor support, Trump and his political action committees reported a cash reserve of $74 million, a fraction of Biden’s war chest. Trump, 77, denounced the Democratic fundraising event in a campaign email, characterizing it as a gathering of “deranged Hollywood liberals” bent on “destroying the country.”
As Biden crisscrosses battleground states and touts his legislative accomplishments, including bipartisan infrastructure legislation and healthcare reforms, Trump grapples with legal challenges and mounting criticism over his handling of various issues.
Despite the financial and legal hurdles facing Trump, the 2024 presidential election cycle is expected to be the costliest in history, underscoring the high stakes and intense competition between the two parties.
