A lineup of influential figures from both politics and entertainment is gearing up to headline a significant fundraiser for Joe Biden in Hollywood next month. This event comes at a time when even Biden’s advisors acknowledge that Donald Trump is narrowing the margin.
Hollywood icons George Clooney and Julia Roberts, known for their memorable onscreen collaborations, are slated to play a prominent role in supporting the campaign at a gathering in Los Angeles in June. Alongside attending the event, the stars of “Ocean’s Eleven” and “Ticket to Paradise” will actively engage in a competition that will dominate the campaign’s social media platforms. Additionally, both Academy Award winners will lend their names to text messages and emails advocating for Biden’s campaign.
More high-profile celebrities from Hollywood are expected to participate, including former President Barack Obama.
The Biden campaign has outperformed Trump’s in attracting donations from wealthy contributors, but a campaign staffer acknowledged that they will likely need even more funds for the upcoming November election rematch.
“We’re realistic about the fact that he may narrow the fundraising gap,” a Biden campaign adviser told NBC News. “However, what he can’t regain is the advantage we’ve gained through the time and resources we’ve had.”
In a separate event this summer, Biden will once again join forces with former President Bill Clinton for a fundraiser on the east coast, which will also be attended by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Earlier, Biden hosted events with Clinton, Obama, and actor Michael Douglas in late March and April, raising over $26 million, setting a new record for the party for a single event. This propelled Biden’s campaign to a fundraising total of $43.8 million for the month, triple what Trump raised during that period, as per FEC filings.
While Trump’s campaign has boasted about a $50.5 million event in Palm Beach in April, this figure has not yet been reflected in campaign filings.
The New York fundraiser for Biden coincided with Trump’s visit to Long Island to meet with the family of slain NYPD officer Jonathan Diller, who was killed in the line of duty.
He was fatally shot in Queens during a routine traffic stop on Monday, with disturbing surveillance footage capturing the tragic moment.
During a fundraiser hosted by Douglas in Westchester, New York, Biden mistakenly stated the date of the January 6 riots while criticizing Trump, in late April.
His visit caused road closures and school closures around the Village of Irvington, as demonstrators opposed to Israel’s policies took to the streets.
The fundraiser occurred at Douglas and his wife Catherine Zeta-Jones’ residence, with Zeta-Jones absent due to filming, as noted in the White House pool report.
Clooney has been a steadfast supporter of the president, and Biden expressed that he would have backed Clooney if he had run against Hillary Clinton in 2016.
A prominent advocate for liberal Democrats, Clooney previously hosted a fundraiser at his home for Obama, which contributed $15 million to the president’s re-election campaign.
