President Biden, former president Barack Obama, first lady Jill Biden, and several Hollywood celebrities issued a serious warning about the potential consequences of a second Donald Trump term during a fundraiser on Saturday. The Biden campaign reported that the event raised over $30 million. In a discussion moderated by late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, Biden expressed concerns about the political violence Trump has suggested could occur if he loses the election.
“Institutions matter. What he did on January 6th, and now he’s literally saying if he doesn’t win there’ll be a bloodbath. It’s outrageous — what he’s talking about is outrageous,” Biden said.
Biden also added: “The idea that he’s actually threatened retribution. This is the United States of America. Did you ever think you’d ever, ever, ever hear anything like this?”
The event was hosted by Kimmel, Obama, actors George Clooney and Julia Roberts, and singer Barbra Streisand, who introduced Jill Biden. Jill Biden criticized Trump, describing her husband as someone who “honors the rule of law instead of trying to bend it to his own will.”
“Or,” she continued, referring to Trump, “we can choose someone who wakes up every morning caring about one person and one person only — himself.”
The Biden campaign stated that Saturday’s event at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles was the largest-ever Democratic fundraiser, surpassing a March fundraiser at New York’s Radio City Music Hall that featured Biden, Obama, and Bill Clinton and raised more than $25 million.
The fundraiser occurred as polls showed a tight race between Biden and Trump, with both men struggling to change the dynamics. Recently, Trump has closed a fundraising gap with Biden and benefited from a verdict convicting him on 34 counts of falsifying business records. Much of Trump’s fundraising, however, is being used for legal expenses related to several ongoing cases against him.
While much of the discussion focused on Trump’s rhetoric and threats to democratic institutions, there were also moments of humor at the fundraiser.
Obama, the first Black president, responded to Trump’s claim that he’s done more for Black people than any president since Abraham Lincoln by saying, “One thing he did, for example, was make them feel even better about the first Black president.”
Despite the unity displayed, there were signs of dissent. Pro-Palestinian protesters and police in riot gear were present outside the event. Biden’s support of Israel has led to political challenges and protests since the war between Israel and Hamas began in October.
Recently, Clooney had contacted a top White House adviser to complain about Biden’s criticism of actions by the International Criminal Court against Israeli leaders. Clooney was concerned about Biden’s denunciation of arrest warrants sought by ICC prosecutors for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The White House later moved away from the idea of sanctioning the ICC.
The fundraiser maintained its focus on the threat posed by Trump. Kimmel asked Biden and Obama if the country had “Trump amnesia,” comparing the memory of Trump’s presidency to a colonoscopy — unpleasant but something people want to forget.
“Remember the pandemic?” Biden said. “He said, ‘Just don’t worry. Just inject a little bleach,’” Biden remarked.
“It worked for me,” Kimmel replied.
The fundraiser concluded a busy period of travel for Biden, who had just returned from Italy, where he attended the Group of Seven summit, and France, where he commemorated the 80th anniversary of D-Day. He has also made several recent trips to Wilmington, Del., to support his son Hunter, who was convicted last week of lying on a federal gun form and unlawfully possessing a gun for 11 days.
Biden will now focus on preparing for his debate against Trump, scheduled for June 27. Both candidates aim to use the debate to influence voters and alter the course of the race.