President Biden and former President Obama exchanged sharp remarks against former President Trump, touted the Democratic president’s policy accomplishments and even cracked a few jokes at a fundraising event Saturday night in Los Angeles that broke Democratic fundraising records.
When late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, who was moderating the discussion between the two Democrats, asked about the potential GOP nominee, Biden responded, “There’s nothing I could do and do better than him,” whom Kimmel referred to as the “Orange Julius Caesar,” before touting the nation’s strong economy, low unemployment rate and other accomplishments. “We’re trying to give ordinary people a chance, just a chance.”
Obama said Biden had advanced his policies both when he was president and when he was vice president, such as expanding access to the Affordable Care Act and increasing funding for efforts to curb climate change.
“At its best, the presidency is a relay race. You take the baton and run the race,” Obama said, and then pass it to his successor. “I’m very proud of what the Biden administration has accomplished. And it’s a reminder that we don’t have to vote against anything in this election. … But we can be proud to affirm the extraordinary job that Joe has done.”
star-studded fundraiser The event, held at the Peacock Theatre in downtown L.A., raised more than $30 million — the most cash raked in from a single-night event in Democratic history. Biden, Obama and first lady Jill Biden repeatedly attacked Trump, a notable escalation of the rhetoric typically heard during his campaign and fundraising events.
Obama, George Clooney and Julia Roberts were the main performers. Thousands of Biden supporters paid $250 for a seat away from the stage and $500,000 for a ticket package that included prime seats, photos with both presidents and a VIP after-party — in what is likely to be one of the president’s last major L.A. fundraisers before the November election.
“This Saturday we’re going to see an unprecedented and record-setting turnout from the media and entertainment world,” media tycoon Jeffrey Katzenberg, a Democratic megadonor and co-chair of the president’s re-election campaign, said ahead of the event. “The enthusiasm and commitment for Biden-Harris couldn’t be stronger. We all understand this is the most important election of our lifetimes.”
trump Campaigned in Detroit on SaturdayTrump accused Biden of weakening the economy and fueling inflation, the Associated Press reported. Trump campaign spokeswoman Caroline Levitt said Biden was “raising money in cahoots with untouchable elite Hollywood celebrities.”
Most of Saturday evening’s comedic moments came from Kimmel and celebrities like Jason Bateman, Kathryn Hahn, Jack Black and Barbra Streisand, and the president and former president also cracked a few jokes.
“Remember the pandemic, (Trump) said, ‘Don’t worry, just inject a little bleach,’” Biden said. “It worked for him, his hair color.”
Biden then gravely noted that more than 1 million Americans have died from COVID-19.
“It’s had a deeply negative effect on the economy. It’s had a deeply negative effect on the attitude of Americans,” Biden said. “One of the things I’m very proud of is that we ended the pandemic.”
President Joe Biden speaks during a Saturday night fundraiser.
(Alex Brandon/Associated Press)
Kimmel recalled toilet paper shortages in the early weeks of the pandemic.
“He promised he’d make America great again, and the next thing you know, we’re wiping ourselves with envelopes,” Kimmel said, to which Obama interrupted, laughing, “Is that how you handled it, Jimmy?”
Kimmel mentioned his younger son, Billy, who needed three open-heart surgeries because of a birth defect. He asked why Republicans would want to repeal the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare.
Biden said efforts to undermine health care policy enacted during Obama’s presidency would cause great harm to Americans, especially millions of people who already suffer from underlying health conditions.
“Look, this guy started it. I carried it forward,” he said. “Here’s the deal, the truth is these people don’t care about it. It’s saving the country money.”
He turned to Obama and said, “It has your name on it.”
“I don’t mind it, I have to say. I’m happy to call it Obamacare. Please do that. I really don’t understand how that was an insult,” Obama said, then added that politics shouldn’t be about ostentatious displays of adoration. “The best part is that politics is how we come together to solve problems.”
Kimmel reported that after one of his son’s surgeries, Biden sent a card and a toy that resembled Biden’s German Shepherd, Commander, who was kicked out of the White House after repeatedly biting Secret Service agents.
Kimmel said, “Unfortunately, the little commander stubbed Billy’s toe, so he’s going to need more health care,” to which Obama replied, “Fortunately, he’s covered!”
In a sobering moment, Biden said the next president is likely to nominate two Supreme Court justices.
“The idea is that if he’s re-elected, he’ll appoint two more flag-flyers,” Biden said, referring to the recent controversy over flags flying upside-down outside Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr.’s Virginia home.
The president said the prospect of Trump picking new judges is one of the “scariest parts” of a Republican victory in November, and he recalled Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’ comments about other rights that could be at risk if Roe v. Wade is overturned.
A member of the audience shouted, “Gay rights,” and Biden responded, “Not in my term.”
First lady Jill Biden told the story of punching a neighborhood bully who “tortured” her younger sister when she was 13 years old.
He said everyone is here tonight to show Trump “how we deal with threats. … We don’t cower, we don’t back down. We stand up. We speak out.”
She then presented the election’s difference between her husband and Trump, as she sees it: “Joe, a man who has dedicated his life to serving his community. Who respects the rule of law rather than trying to bend it to his will. And unites the world to fight for democracy and freedom.”
Or, the first lady added, “We can elect someone who wakes up every morning caring about one person and one person only. Himself.”
Other elected officials and celebrities who attended the event included Gov. Gavin Newsom, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Reps. Ted Lieu (D-Torrance), Robert Garcia (D-Long Beach), Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-San Pedro), Grace F. Napolitano (D-El Monte), actors Mindy Kaling, Jeff Ross and Jordan Peele, and singers Paul Anka (Bateman’s father-in-law) and Sheryl Lee Ralph, who sang “God Bless America” shortly before Biden, Obama and Kimmel took the stage for their roughly 40-minute conversation.
Also present was Los Angeles City Council member Kevin de Leon, who was Urges Biden to resign In October 2022 he was heard in a leaked audio along with other council members making racist and derogatory comments. De Leon was seen in the theater lobby Other elected officials like Newsom and Bass met with Biden and Obama at a VIP gathering before the fundraiser.
Public entrances to L.A. Live were closed throughout the afternoon, with well-dressed attendees mingling with T-shirt-clad tourists on the sidewalks. Private security and Los Angeles police officers stationed around the perimeter allowed diners to enter restaurants surrounding the venue.
Pro-Palestinian protesters march outside Biden fundraiser.
(Eric Thayer/For The Times)
Protesters did not interrupt Biden and Obama to speak about the Israel-Hamas conflict, as they and Vice President Kamala Harris have done at earlier events. Protesters gathered outside the theater.
At around 5 p.m., a few hundred pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the Crypto.com Arena and the adjacent JW Marriott Hotel, waving Palestinian flags and chanting, “Biden, Biden, can’t you see, Palestine will be free,” and other slogans.
A group blocked the entrance to the fundraising event near the hotel. Confused attendees arrived and wondered how they would get in. They were able to enter a gate near the Arena as protesters chanted, “Shame on you!”
Later the protesters blocked the road outside the hotel.
Jennifer Jajeh, a Palestinian and South L.A. resident, stood at the entrance of the fundraiser, facing the attendees.
“People on the ground in Gaza are facing terror every second,” Jazeh said. “I think people who are supporting a candidate who is supporting genocide should feel a little uncomfortable. Kathy Griffin, you could be yelled at for two minutes.”
By 7 p.m., the crowd of protesters began to disperse. An LAPD spokesperson said no arrests were made.
A pro-Palestinian protester holds a placard outside a Biden fundraiser.
(Michael Blackshear/Los Angeles Times)
The incident came at a crucial time for Biden.
Though Democrats have outpaced Trump in terms of dollars raised in California and nationally, the former president has seen a surge in donations since be blamed He was charged in late May with 34 felonies, including falsifying business records about $130,000 in payments to adult film actor Stormy Daniels, who he is accused of having sex with at Lake Tahoe during a golf tournament in an effort to influence the 2016 presidential election.
Trump’s First fundraising campaign The most talked about conviction occurred in California this month.
National and swing-state polls show tight races. And voters, some of whom are indifferent to Biden and Trump, partly because of their age, are concerned about domestic economic concerns as well as global turmoil — the long-running wars between Russia and Ukraine and Israel and Hamas. Neither Biden or Obama discussed any international conflicts at the fund-raising event.
Late Friday night, Biden left the Group of 7 summit — a gathering of Western leaders in Italy focused on tackling global issues such as trade, the economy and security — as well as a private meeting with Pope Francis. After refueling at an Air Force base in Maryland, the president landed in Los Angeles on Saturday morning.
It’s unknown how Biden spent his time since landing; but his son Hunter, who convicted of three felony charges This week, lives in Malibu. In February, Biden spent nearly 90 minutes Hunter Biden with his son and grandson at the Ivy restaurant on his 54th birthday. Hunter Biden was one of the family members to attend Saturday’s fundraiser.
On the Peacock Theatre stage, Kimmel asked what presidents have the power to do, noting that he has mocked Trump on television for years.
“Have you heard of Delta Force? This isn’t just a TV show,” Biden said, referring to a special military unit. “He’s threatening retaliation. This is the United States of America. Did you ever think you’d hear something like this?”
Obama said that’s why it’s so important for Democrats to be proactive, including by persuading young people to vote, and by having respectful discussions with family members and friends who hold different political views.
“If these things happen, 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 his show,” Obama said. “And I’ll be able to do all the things former presidents are supposed to do, which is not hang out with Jimmy Kimmel. Let’s get to work.”
