Biden Takes Hollywood

President Biden and the First Lady launched their Hollywood fundraising tour over the weekend, making waves in Los Angeles. The star-studded affair, consisting of six fundraising events and meetings throughout Southern California, promises to be a significant boost for the campaign.

Lenny Kravitz Rocks the Fundraiser

The weekend kicked off with a dazzling fundraiser on Friday night, headlined by legendary rocker Lenny Kravitz. The event, attended by prominent figures such as Barbra Streisand, Rob Reiner, David Geffen, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Governor Gavin Newsom, and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, raised an impressive $8 million for the president, as reported by The Associated Press.

President Biden, in his speech, took a moment to humorously address former President Trump, noting his absence at the inauguration and speculating about the next one.

Anticipated Boost for the Campaign

The fundraising weekend is expected to be a game-changer for the campaign, aiming for a fourth-quarter goal of $67 million, according to the AP. Jeffrey Katzenberg, DreamWorks founder and national co-chair of the Biden campaign, expressed confidence in the unprecedented excitement and enthusiasm among supporters.

A Low-Key Showcase of Support

Saturday's event, hosted at Katzenberg’s home, maintained a lower profile but continued to showcase support for President Biden. Katzenberg emphasized that whether driven by Biden's achievements or concerns about an alternative, the enthusiasm converges on one point: Joe Biden is the preferred choice.

A Successful Fundraising Year

President Biden's Hollywood tour adds to a successful fundraising year, with over $71 million raised. While surpassing former President Obama's 2011 effort, it falls short of Trump's $125 million haul over the same period.

Biden vs. Trump

Notably, the fundraising push aligns with national polling indicating a tight race between Biden and Trump in a hypothetical 2024 rematch. As Biden addresses concerns about his age, the Friday event faced protests from former Democratic supporters expressing dissatisfaction with Biden's response to the Gaza conflict.