US President Joe Biden, joined by former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, headlined a major fundraising event in New York City, raising a staggering $25 million for his re-election bid. The star-studded affair, held at Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan, surpassed the fundraising efforts of Biden’s Republican counterpart, Donald Trump, in February.
The Democratic gala boasted performances by renowned artists Queen Latifah and Lizzo. The trio of presidents engaged in a lively Q&A session moderated by comedian Stephen Colbert, with Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour also in attendance. The discussion ranged from serious topics to light-hearted banter, culminating in all three presidents sporting aviator sunglasses, a nod to Biden’s signature accessory.
Attendees had the opportunity to pay $100,000 for a photo with the presidential trio, showcasing the event’s immense success. Campaign fundraiser Jeffrey Katzenberg hailed the fundraiser as a testament to the momentum behind reelecting the Biden-Harris ticket.
However, outside the venue, pro-Palestinian demonstrators voiced their opposition to the event. Inside, several protestors disrupted proceedings before being escorted out. Meanwhile, Trump’s campaign spokesperson, Steven Cheung, criticized the “glitzy fundraiser,” denouncing its ties to “elitist, out-of-touch celebrity benefactors.”
Earlier that day, Trump attended the wake of slain police officer Jonathan Diller, advocating for a return to “law and order.” Despite refraining from direct attacks on Biden, Trump continued to focus on criticizing his opponent’s stance on policing and immigration.
In response to Diller’s death, Biden reached out to New York Mayor Eric Adams to offer condolences. While Biden did not directly contact the officer’s family, his spokesperson, Karine Jean-Pierre, affirmed the president’s solidarity with law enforcement, citing his longstanding support throughout his career.
Currently, Biden maintains a significant campaign fund advantage over Trump. The former president, in addition to campaign expenses, allocates funds for legal battles, including an upcoming trial in New York related to alleged hush money payments to a porn star during his 2016 campaign.
Check here for the latest updates in Hindi!