Biden claims glitzy fundraiser shows ‘we are united’ as campaign advances
NEW YORK — Still basking in the glow of his largest-ever fundraiser, which featured his Democratic predecessors Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, President Joe Biden declared Friday that the star-studded Radio City Music Hall event shows “that we are united” in ways Republicans can’t match.
The Biden campaign said it took in a record-setting $26 million from the sold-out gathering, which also featured latenight host Stephen Colbert as moderator for the presidential trio. Biden spent the night in New York, then addressed a separate crowd of around 200 of his largest donors and fundraisers from in and around the city.
“It’s because of you that I can say that we’ve raised more money than any previous Democratic campaign in history,” said Biden, whose reelection bid said it already had $155 million in cash on hand through the end of February — before Thursday night’s take was factored in.
“A couple of us have been doing this for a year or two. I don’t ever remember an event like last night,” Biden said of himself and the past presidents. He added wistfully, “I’m the president but was looking out there, holy God.”
Biden said that “last night showed the skeptics, it showed the press, it showed everyone that we are united.” He is seeking to present a stark contrast with former President Donald Trump, who is now seeking to win back the White House but has been shunned by his only living Republican predecessor, President George W. Bush.
Even Trump’s former vice president, Mike Pence, says he’s now unwilling to endorse his former boss. Trump and his Save American political action committee are also reporting having just $37 million in cash on hand through February.
Still, there were moments of disunity on Thursday night, when the event was interrupted by protesters objecting to the Biden administration’s support of Israel in its war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Larger groups of similar demonstrators massed outside the building.