US President Joe Biden, joined by former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, is gearing up for a historic fundraiser in New York City. The event, set to be held at Radio City Music Hall, aims to raise over $25 million for Biden’s re-election campaign, marking the largest sum ever raised at a single political gathering, according to Biden’s team.
With the race for the White House tightly contested, the fundraiser seeks to widen the financial gulf between Biden and his Republican opponent, Donald Trump. Despite polls indicating a closely fought election, Biden has been actively campaigning in crucial battleground states following a well-received State of the Union Address earlier in the month.
However, Biden’s approval ratings, although showing a recent uptick, remain relatively low. Meanwhile, Trump, who is also in the New York area attending a police officer’s wake, reported significantly lower campaign funds compared to Biden’s staggering $155 million cash on hand.
The star-studded fundraiser is expected to draw over 5,000 attendees, with late-night host Stephen Colbert moderating a discussion among the three presidents. The event, hosted by actress Mindy Kaling, will feature musical performances from Lizzo, Queen Latifah, and Lea Michele. Attendees can pay up to half a million dollars for tickets, with the opportunity to have a photo taken with Biden, Obama, and Clinton by renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz for $100,000.
Biden and Obama arrived in New York together aboard Air Force One, underscoring their enduring camaraderie since Obama’s presidency. Biden’s successful fundraising efforts have been attributed to his lack of primary challengers and the advantage of incumbency, while Trump’s campaign has faced financial and legal hurdles.
As the 2024 presidential election looms, both candidates are gearing up for what is expected to be the most expensive campaign cycle in history, with billions of dollars allocated for campaign ads alone.
