Joe Biden’s L.A. Visit: Hollywood Expected To Show Big Support Amid “Pent Up Demand,” Trepidation About 2024 And Fears Of Another Trump Term
08.12.2023 - 15:09
/ deadline.com
President Joe Biden arrives in Los Angeles on Friday afternoon for his first Hollywood-centric fundraiser of his reelection campaign, amid pent up demand, some trepidation about 2024 and the potential for a return of Donald Trump.
The president speak to a room of supporters with a number of other issues at the forefront, including the Israel-Hamas war and the fate of aid to Ukraine, as well as LGBTQ+ rights.
After arriving late on Friday afternoon, the president is set to headline a reception hosted by designer Michael Smith and James Costos, the former U.S. ambassador to Spain, with about 300 guests expected and a long list of co-hosts who include Steven Spielberg, Rob Reiner and Shonda Rhimes, as well Rick Caruso, the real estate developer and former mayoral candidate. Joining Biden will be First Lady Jill Biden and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Lenny Kravitz is scheduled to perform.
The evening event is just the kickoff of a weekend of fundraising activity. On Saturday, Biden is scheduled to attend an event hosted by investors Kwanza Jones and José E. Feliciano, while he also will have smaller private gatherings with high-end donors and supporters, according to sources familiar with his plans. The first lady, too, will headline a fundraiser and private events, according to sources. All told, there are three fundraisers and three private events on the schedule, with the weekend expected to bring in a very large haul for the campaign.
Just weeks after Biden announced his reelection bid, the Writers Guild of America went out on strike, and two months later SAG-AFTRA walked out, bringing much of the industry to a standstill. Although the president had weighed in at points during the labor stoppage, he avoided