Protests at President Biden's Fundraiser in Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California — After President Biden was presented with a shiny gold membership card from the Carpenters' union in Las Vegas in recognition of his pro-union bona fides, he darted off to Los Angeles last Friday to continue an eight-day fundraising swing — one that featured growing protests, the star power of a few celebrities and warnings about the future of democracy if former President Donald Trump is elected next year.
Since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas, protesters have become a fixture at nearly every stop for the president across the country. They gather and call for a ceasefire in Gaza as Israel continues its forceful military response to the Oct. 7 attack by the militant group Hamas, which resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 Israelis, and the kidnapping of hundreds.
Outside Friday's fundraiser at a sleek mansion in the Beverly Hills area, hundreds of protesters gathered in a nearby public park with signs and noisemakers. Protesters were seen chanting at some of the attendees, and according to several people who went to the fundraiser, the protests dissuaded some donors from attending.
The Roar of the Protesters at Exclusive Hollywood Fundraisers
The buzz surrounding the exclusive Hollywood fundraisers for the sitting president was not limited to star power and financial support. The presence of protesters outside the events made waves, with their voices even reaching the ears of attendees inside.
While some familiar faces like Lenny Kravitz and Steven Spielberg were spotted at the events, there were also notable absences. Shonda Rhimes, listed as a fundraiser co-host, did not make an appearance, although she remains a strong supporter of the Biden-Harris campaign.
Meanwhile, first lady Jill Biden held a private meeting at Chrissy Teigen's house, where she was joined by celebrities like Kerry Washington and Julia Louis-Dreyfuss. Other celebrities, such as Jon Hamm, showed their support by donating to the campaign without attending the presidential events.
According to a tally by CBS News, since launching his reelection campaign in April, Mr. Biden has attended at least 36 fundraisers across the country. These fundraisers have generated sizable donation hauls in the second and third quarters of this year, amounting to $72 million and $71 million respectively. However, some top donors have expressed concerns that there may be money being left on the table.
Compared to former President Obama's reelection campaign in 2011, Mr. Biden's fundraising after his reelection campaign launch has been lower. At the same point in their respective campaigns, former President Obama had drawn about $13 million more than Mr. Biden.
Several major donors have also voiced their dissatisfaction with the outreach to donors and "bundlers" who sought donations from American elites in 2020. They believe that the campaign has been lacking in this aspect for the past three years.
One donor expressed their frustration, saying, "You can't talk to someone for three years and now say, 'Hey, this is the election of our lifetime — give.' Now it's 'go time' and the campaign is like, 'where is everybody at?' Well, you haven't talked to them."
Furthermore, the presidential photo line at a recent fundraiser exemplified this apparent lack of top donor engagement. Despite the opportunity to pledge $25,000 in exchange for a picture with the president, there weren't many people in the photo line. A donor remarked, "It was unusual because everyone wants a photo with the sitting president."
A spokesperson for the Biden campaign stated, "The impressive and record-breaking fundraising numbers we have achieved since our campaign launch are a testament to the overwhelming support we have received from small-dollar donors and the tireless efforts of our team across the nation."
Notably, the Biden campaign has successfully persuaded some skeptics, such as Rick Caruso, the Democratic billionaire developer who ran against Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in the previous year. Caruso, who previously criticized the president and his economic policies, has now expressed his unwavering support for Mr. Biden.
Caruso told CBS News, "My decision to support Joe Biden is very straightforward. I firmly believe that he is the best choice for our country. The alternative option, in my opinion, poses significant risks. We cannot afford to repeat past mistakes. I am fully committed to doing everything in my power to help Biden secure victory."
The 2024 election carries immense importance, as emphasized by the president during his recent visit to California. Trump referred to his predecessor as the "greatest threat" to democracy. Additionally, the first lady evoked the painful memory of Hillary Clinton's defeat in 2016, urging people to prevent a similar outcome from occurring again.
