Joe Biden and Barack Obama at LA fundraiser (AP)
Democrats used humor and star power to assist with the serious business of political fundraising Saturday night in Los Angeles at an event to support the Joe Biden presidential campaign. What was it like to be there? Erica Pandey, of Axios, provides insight under the headline "Biden earns record-breaking cash haul at glitzy Hollywood fundraiser":
President Biden's Los Angeles fundraiser at the Peacock Theater — an event featuring Julia Roberts, George Clooney, Jimmy Kimmel and former President Barack Obama — hauled in at least $28 million for his re-election campaign.
Why it matters: It breaks the Democratic Party record for most cash raised in one night, the L.A. Times reports. Tickets ranged from $250 to $500,000.
- The previous record was $26 million, from Biden's March fundraiser in Manhattan with former presidents Obama and Clinton.
Perhaps the highlight of the evening were the digs directed at Biden's likely opponent, Republican Donald Trump. Pandey writes:
Zoom in: Biden and celebrity comics got in some quips about Trump.
- Biden said: "Remember the pandemic, [Trump] said, 'Don't worry, just inject a little bleach.' It worked for him — the color of his hair."
- Kimmel joked about the early pandemic toilet paper shortage: "He promised he would make America great again. And the next thing you know, we are wiping ourselves with envelopes."
- Obama's response: "Is that how you handled it, Jimmy?"
Other celebrities who took the stage included Jack Black and Sheryl Lee Ralph, who both sang; Barbra Streisand, who introduced first lady Jill Biden; and Kathryn Hahn and Jason Bateman.
Before the fundraising gala, Obama stopped by an event for digital creators to discuss his personal media diet. It's not as high-minded as one might expect, reports Mike Allen, of Axios:
Former President Obama dropped by a gathering of about 80 digital content creators — including stars of TikTok and Instagram Reels — during the campaign fundraiser for President Biden in L.A. on Saturday, and told them:
- "We live in a cynical time. Let's face it: I think a lot of the people who watch you, listen to you, who are fans of you — a lot of times they feel turned off by the political discourse."
- "I get it," Obama added. "You know, I frankly watch sports, mostly. Because it feels like everything (else) is slash and burn."
Why it matters: Obama, 19 years younger than Biden, acknowledged that many of the young, progressive creators were skeptical of Biden — but argued that "he believes in the basic things that you believe in."
"Joe Biden, you may not agree with everything he does," Obama said. "By the way, you didn't agree with everything I did. And that's OK. Because in a big, messy, complicated country like this, there are going to be disagreements.
- "But Joe Biden's basic trajectory — what he believes in his core ... nine times out of 10, he's going to make decisions that accord with your core beliefs."
"I need you guys to use your influence, and it doesn't have to be boring. I don't expect you to have a bunch of charts and graphs," Obama added.
- "I understand folks are swiping or scrolling, and you've got to use humor and you've got to use other things that are engaging people."