A fundraising event took place in New York City on Thursday, featuring President Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton. The event managed to raise an impressive $25 million, setting a new record for the largest amount collected at a political gathering, according to Biden’s campaign.
This substantial sum demonstrates the strong support that Democrats have for Biden, especially during a time when his poll numbers have been consistently low. As he prepares to face off against presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump, Biden will put the power of this campaign cash to the test. Trump’s victory over Hillary Clinton in 2016 proved that raising the most money is not always necessary to secure the presidency.
The event, held at Radio City Music Hall, will serve as a grand symbol of Biden’s recent surge in presidential campaign activities. Over the past three weeks, he has visited several crucial political battlegrounds, rallying support for his reelection bid. Additionally, the event brings together more than three decades of Democratic leadership. The hours-long event offers different levels of access based on the generosity of donors. The highlight will be an onstage conversation among the three presidents, moderated by late-night talk show host Stephen Colbert. The event will also feature performances by Queen Latifah, Lizzo, Ben Platt, Cynthia Erivo, and Lea Michele, with actress Mindy Kaling as the host. Thousands of attendees are expected, and tickets are available for as low as $225.
Donors who contribute more money will have the opportunity for more intimate interactions with the presidents. A photo with all three presidents costs $100,000, while a donation of $250,000 grants access to a reception. Those who donate $500,000 will gain entry to an even more exclusive gathering.
However, the festivities do not end there. First Lady Jill Biden and DJ D-Nice will host an after-party at Radio City Music Hall, which will be attended by 500 guests. Obama and Clinton’s involvement in the event is helping Biden further increase his already significant financial advantage over Trump. As of the end of February, Biden had $155 million in cash on hand, compared to Trump’s $37 million and his Save America political action committee.
The New York City event on Thursday has amassed a total of $25 million, which comprises contributions from supporters who eagerly donated in the weeks leading up to the fundraiser for an opportunity to participate. Notably, this amount surpasses the $5 million that Trump managed to raise in February.
“This historic raise is a show of strong enthusiasm for President Biden and Vice President Harris and a testament to the unprecedented fundraising machine we’ve built,” said campaign co-chair Jeffrey Katzenberg. “Unlike our opponent, every dollar we’re raising is going to reach the voters who will decide this election — communicating the president’s historic record, his vision for the future and laying plain the stakes of this election.”