President Joe Biden embarked on a star-studded, three-day fundraising journey in California, where he took a humorous jab at Republican frontrunner Donald Trump’s bold claim that he would become a dictator on his first day back in the presidency.
Trump had stated earlier in the week that he wouldn’t become a dictator unless it was “on day one.”
In response, Biden quipped at a Los Angeles fundraiser held at the residence of celebrity interior designer Michael Smith and former HBO executive James Costos, “Thank God, only one day.”
Biden continued to characterize Trump, who unsuccessfully sought to overturn the 2020 election, as a threat to democracy. Trump had been indicted in August for his extensive efforts to overturn the election results.
This fundraising trip comes on the heels of the Department of Justice filing new criminal charges against Biden’s son, Hunter, accusing him of tax evasion totaling $1.4 million while living a lavish lifestyle.
The President refrained from addressing this matter during the fundraiser.
California, a stronghold for Democratic funding, witnessed a resurgence in financial contributions after prolonged strikes by actors and screenwriters had previously deterred donations. Jeffrey Katzenberg, a prominent figure in the entertainment industry and campaign co-chair for Biden, highlighted the enthusiasm, predicting that this fundraising effort would be one of the most successful for any candidate in the lead-up to a general election.
Biden’s itinerary included two Los Angeles fundraisers attended by renowned figures like directors Steven Spielberg and Rob Reiner, as well as musicians Barbra Streisand and Lenny Kravitz.
This California fundraising swing was part of a broader push that encompassed at least nine fundraisers slated for the month’s end.
These fundraising events in California, along with previous ones in Boston, were projected to amass over $15 million, with the total fourth-quarter haul for 2023 expected to approach $67 million.
Jeffrey Katzenberg, who co-founded DreamWorks Animation and is involved in organizing one of the fundraisers, acknowledged that the final sum was still subject to change.
Biden made a brief stop in Las Vegas to announce $8.2 billion in funding for ten new passenger rail projects.
He emphasized the tangible progress being made under his administration’s initiatives, such as the $1 trillion infrastructure law, which includes funding for the nation’s first high-speed rail line running through California.
Additional investments were allocated for high-speed rail projects between Las Vegas and Southern California, as well as initiatives in North Carolina, Virginia, and Washington.
Over the past year, Biden has traveled extensively to announce funding tied to key legislative acts, aiming to bolster his approval ratings and convey his capacity to lead the U.S. economy.
Despite these efforts, recent public opinion polls have indicated limited success in swaying public perception.