A Hollywood fund-raiser Saturday night meant to boost President Biden’s campaign funds turned into a platform for some of the strongest attacks on former President Donald J. Trump to date by the Biden campaign. Entertainers, Barack Obama, and even Jill Biden criticized Mr. Trump’s ethics and suitability to return to the White House.
Dr. Biden, introduced by Barbra Streisand, emphasized the choice between her husband, who “honors the rule of law,” and Mr. Trump, who only cares about himself.
“Mr. Trump wants the White House for absolute power and to avoid accountability for his actions,” Dr. Biden said. She accused him of trying to dismantle democratic safeguards.
Mr. Obama brought up Mr. Trump’s felony convictions, receiving applause from the audience.
The event in downtown Los Angeles had a different tone from a previous fund-raiser at Radio City Music Hall. The change followed Mr. Trump’s conviction by a New York jury on 34 felony counts, which led to increased contributions from his supporters and raised concerns among Democrats.
The event featured prominent figures like George Clooney, Julia Roberts, and Jimmy Kimmel, who raised questions about the impact of the Trump era and the need to move forward.
The fund-raiser at the Peacock Theater raised over $28 million, surpassing the previous amount raised at Radio City Music Hall.
The evening included discussions about the Supreme Court, Jan. 6 events, and political unrest, highlighting the importance of the upcoming election.
The event showcased the support of Hollywood for President Biden’s campaign, with figures like Jeffrey Katzenberg playing key roles behind the scenes.
However, the evening also raised concerns about the intersection of politics and entertainment, especially with high-stakes fundraising and political tensions.
The event underscored the urgency of the upcoming election and the need for strong support to secure victory in November.
The Hollywood community’s turnout at the event reflects the high stakes of what is expected to be the most expensive election cycle in history, given Mr. Trump’s fundraising success and political backing.
The level of motivation and commitment in Hollywood for this presidential election is unprecedented, with a clear understanding of the significance and the effort required to secure victory in November.
Reid J. Epstein, Brooks Barnes, and George Johnston contributed to this report.
