President Biden and former President Obama appeared on stage together on Saturday night in Los Angeles with late night host Jimmy Kimmel – a conversation that included poking fun at former President Trump, touting the achievements of the Democratic incumbent’s policies and trying to motivate voters to go to the polls in November.
“I couldn’t do anything and do better than him,” Biden replied when asked about the former GOP president, whom Kimmel called “Orange Julius Caesar,” before citing the country’s economic strength, low unemployment rate and other achievements. . “We’re trying to give ordinary people a chance, just a chance.”
Obama added that Biden has implemented policies during his time as president and Biden as vice president, such as expanding access to the Affordable Care Act and increasing funding for efforts to stop climate change.
“At best, the presidency is a relay race. You take the baton and you run the race” and then hand it over to your successor, Obama said. “I’m very proud of what the Biden administration has done. And this is a reminder that we don’t have to just vote against something in this election. … But we can be proud of the incredible work that Joe has done.
The star-studded fundraiser at the Peacock Theater in downtown LA is expected to raise at least $28 million – the largest single-night event in Democratic history.
Obama, George Clooney and Julia Roberts were among the headliners. Thousands of Biden supporters paid between $250, for a seat away from the stage, and $500,000 – for a ticket package that includes prime seats, a photo with the president and a VIP after party – to attend the event that will be one of the president’s. the last major LA fundraiser before the November election.
“This Saturday, we will see an unprecedented and record-setting turnout from the world of media and entertainment,” said media mogul Jeffrey Katzenberg, a Democratic megadonor and the only nonelected official who is co-chairman of the president’s reelection campaign. “The enthusiasm and commitment to Biden-Harris could not be stronger. We all know this is the most important election of our lifetimes.
Trump spent Saturday campaigning in Detroit, where he accused Biden of damaging the economy and inflation, the Associated Press reported. Biden raised funds “with elitist Hollywood celebrities who are untouchable,” Trump campaign spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said.
While most of the evening’s comedic moments were provided by Kimmel and celebrities such as Jason Bateman, Kathryn Hahn, Jack Black and Barbra Streisand, the president and former president also got in a few jokes.
“Remember the pandemic, (Trump) said, ‘Don’t worry, just inject a little bleach,'” Biden said. “It works for her, her hair color.”
Biden then got serious, noting that more than 1 million Americans have died from COVID-19.
“It has a very negative effect on the economy. It has a very negative effect on the attitude of the American people,” Biden said. “One of the things I want to do is stop the pandemic.”
Kimmel recalled the lack of toilet paper in the early weeks of the pandemic.
“He promised to make America great again, and the next thing you know, we’re wiping ourselves with an envelope,” Kimmel said, prompting Obama to let out a rueful laugh, “Are you handling Jimmy?”
Kimmel grew serious when discussing his young son Billy, who required three open-heart surgeries due to a birth defect, asking why Republicans want to repeal the Affordable Care Act, known as “Obamacare.”
Biden said efforts to dismantle health care policies enacted during Obama’s presidency would hurt Americans, especially millions with pre-existing conditions.
“Look, this guy started it. I expanded it,” he said. “That’s the thing, the truth is, these people don’t seem to care. It saves the country money.”
He turned to Obama and noted, “That’s your name.”
“I never thought about it, I have to say it. I like to call Obamacare. Please do it. I don’t know how that is an insult,” he said before adding that politics should not be about false performative displays. “At its best, politics is how we come together to solve problems.”
Kimmel noted that after one of his son’s surgeries, Biden sent him a card and a stuffed animal that looked like Biden’s German shepherd, Commander, who was removed from the White House after repeatedly punching Secret Service agents.
“Unfortunately, little Commander stubbed Billy’s toe, so he’s going to need more health care,” Kimmel said, prompting Obama to say, “Thankfully, he’s covered!”
In a serious moment, Biden turned grave when he noted that the next president would be able to nominate two Supreme Court justices.
“The idea that if he’s reelected, he’s going to vote for two flags to fly again,” Biden said, referring to the recent controversy over the upside-down flag flown outside Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr.’s home.
The president added that the prospect of Trump appointing a new judge was one of the “scariest parts” of Republicans winning in November, and cited Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’ comments about other rights that could be threatened after Roe vs. Wade. upside down
An audience member chanted “gay rights,” and Biden responded, “Not on my watch.”
First Lady Jill Biden tells the story of stabbing a neighborhood bully who “tortured” her sister when she was 13.
He said everyone is here tonight to show Trump “exactly how to deal with bullies. … We’re not afraid, we’re not turning away. We’re showing up. We’re speaking up.”
He then presented the electoral contrast between his wife and Trump, as he saw it: “Joe, a man who has served the community. Who respects the rule of law instead of trying to bend it to his own will. And gathers the world to fight for democracy and freedom.
Or, the first mother continued, “we can choose someone who wakes up every morning to take care of one person and one person. ourselves.”
Other elected officials and celebrities in attendance included Governor Gavin Newsom; Reps. Ted Lieu (D-Torrance), Robert Garcia (D-Long Beach), Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-San Pedro), Grace F. Napolitano (D-Norwalk); and singer Paul Anka. Also appearing was Los Angeles City Councilman Kevin de León, whom Biden urged to resign in October 2022 after being heard on leaked audio with other council members making racist and derogatory comments.
The public entrance to LA Live was lined in the evening with costumed attendees mingling with T-shirt-clad tourists on the sidewalk. Private security and Los Angeles police officers stationed around the perimeter allow patrons to access restaurants around the venue.
A pro-Palestinian protester holds a sign outside a Biden fundraiser.
(Michael Blackshire/Los Angeles Times)
Around 5 p.m., several hundred pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the Crypto.com Arena and the nearby JW Marriott hotel. He waved a Palestinian flag and chanted, “Biden, Biden can’t see, Palestine will be free,” and other slogans.
A group blocked the entrance to a fundraiser near the hotel, sitting in front of the gate. Confused participants approached and wondered how they could enter. He managed to enter a gate near the arena as protesters shouted, “Shame on you!”
The protesters then blocked the road outside the hotel after closing the gate.
Jennifer Jajeh, a resident of Palestine and South LA, stood at the door of a fundraiser facing the crowd.
“People on the ground in Gaza experience terror every moment of their lives,” Jajeh said. “I think people who support candidates who support genocide should feel uncomfortable. Kathy Griffin, you can be arrested for two minutes.
Many of the protesters began dispersing at 7 p.m. An LAPD spokesman said no arrests had been made.
Law enforcement officers respond to protesters near a campaign event with President Biden outside the Peacock Theater.
(Alex Brandon/Associated Press)
The event comes at a critical time for Biden.
While Democrats have surpassed Trump in dollars raised in California and nationally, the former president has seen his donations drop since he was convicted in late May of 34 counts of falsifying business records involving $130,000 in payments to adult film actor Stormy Daniels, who claimed he had sex in Lake Tahoe during the golf tournament, in an attempt to influence the 2016 presidential election.
Trump’s first post-conviction fundraiser was in California this month.
National polls and swing states show a tight race. And voters, some of whom don’t care about Biden or Trump in part because of their age, are worried about domestic economic concerns as well as global turmoil — all-out war between Russia and Ukraine and between Israel and Hamas.
Late Friday night, Biden left the Group of 7 summit – a gathering in Italy of Western leaders focused on tackling global issues such as trade, the economy and security – as well as a private meeting with Pope Francis. After a refueling stop at an Air Force base in Maryland, the president landed in Los Angeles around dawn on Saturday.
It is not known how Biden spent his time after landing; but his son Hunter, who was convicted of three felony gun charges this week, lives in Malibu. In February, Biden spent about 90 minutes with his son and grandson at the Ivy restaurant on Hunter Biden’s 54th birthday. Hunter Biden was one of the family members who attended Saturday’s fundraiser.
On stage at the Peacock Theatre, Kimmel asked what the president’s powers are, as he has mocked Trump for years on television.
“Ever heard of Delta Force? It’s not just a TV show,” Biden said, referring to the Army’s elite Special Forces unit. “His idea is threatening retribution. This is the United States. Did you ever think you’d hear something like that?”
Obama said that’s one of the reasons why it’s so important for Democrats to be active, from persuading young people to vote to having respectful discussions with family members and friends across political spectrums.
“If that happens, Joe Biden will be re-elected president of the United States, Kamala Harris will be re-elected vice president of the United States and Jimmy Kimmel will be safe to do the show,” Obama said. “And I’m going to be able to do what former presidents have to do, which is not related to Jimmy Kimmel. Let’s get to work.”
