In a significant political event, President Joe Biden will join forces with former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, the only two living Democratic presidents who have served two terms. The trio aims to leverage their collective influence to attract substantial donations, with Biden hoping to join their ranks as a two-term president.
The high-profile fundraiser, Biden’s most notable of this election cycle, will take place at the iconic Radio City Music Hall in New York. The event marks the entry of Obama and Clinton into a general election campaign that Biden believes will shape the future of American democracy.
The three presidents will engage in a conversation with popular late-night host Stephen Colbert. Ticket prices for the fundraiser range from $225 to a staggering $500,000. High-value guests will have the opportunity to be photographed with the three presidents by renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz.
The event is expected to attract over 5,000 donors, including celebrities such as Queen Latifah, Lizzo, Ben Platt, Cynthia Erivo, and Lea Michele. While the fundraiser will not be televised, pool reporters will provide coverage of the presidents’ remarks.
The gathering of three of the four living Democratic presidents – with Jimmy Carter, 99, unable to attend due to hospice care – underscores the critical stakes Biden and the Democrats perceive in his contest against his predecessor, former President Donald Trump.
Meanwhile, Trump was also in New York, attending the wake of NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller, who was tragically killed during a traffic stop earlier this week. Trump expressed his condolences and emphasized the need for law and order.
While the main event is exclusive to high-paying donors, the campaign is also hosting a separate “pre-program” for grassroots donors, featuring Biden, Obama, and Clinton. The star-studded lineup appears to have paid dividends, with the Biden campaign announcing that it had raised over $25 million ahead of the fundraiser, setting a new record for single political fundraiser earnings.
Around a third of the $25 million came from small-dollar, grassroots donations of $200 or less, according to sources familiar with the fundraising efforts. Supporters who contribute $25 are invited to a “virtual pre-program for grassroots supporters” featuring the three presidents.
The fundraiser is expected to mark the beginning of Obama’s active involvement in Biden’s campaign. Obama recently visited the White House to record content with Biden, which they plan to release over the coming weeks. He is anticipated to play a larger role in Biden’s campaign, including visits to college campuses and crucial battleground states, as the November election approaches.
Contributions by CNN’s Jeff Zeleny, Donald Judd, and Brian Rokus.