DFormer US Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton joined incumbent Joe Biden in the election campaign. The three Democrats appeared together on Thursday evening (local time) at a major fundraising event in New York that, according to Biden's campaign, brought in more than $26 million. Several music stars were also present at the event at Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan. The election campaign show was accompanied by criticism of the US government's Middle East policy: protesters interrupted the prominent Democrats on stage several times with heckles. Others demonstrated outside.
Republican former President Donald Trump, who wants to run against Biden again in the presidential election in November, was also in New York on Thursday – but for a different appointment and not to collect donations. In general, Trump also tries to pour money into his campaign coffers in all possible ways. Recently even as a Bible seller.
A bit of show, a bit of war
Several thousand spectators attended the event with Biden, Obama and Clinton. According to US media, tickets cost between 225 and half a million dollars. Former President Obama flew with his former deputy Biden from Washington to New York on the government plane Air Force One. Clinton only joined there. The three sat together on stage for a moderated discussion, talking about democracy, life in the White House, international conflicts and difficult decisions as president. Obama and Clinton praised Biden's work. He, in turn, repeatedly warned against Trump, who denies climate change, wants to restrict fundamental rights and is in good terms with autocrats around the world.
Obama said voters are faced with the question of who really cares about and cares about their concerns. “I'm pretty sure the other guy doesn't do that,” he said of Trump – and added, referring to Biden: “This guy does.”
Biden can use momentum
The three Democrats also joked, trying to be lighthearted. There were also several show performances, for example by the singer Lizzo and the rapper Queen Latifah. Biden could really use a bit of glamor and pizzazz in his election campaign. There are reservations among the population as well as in his party because of his old age: Biden is 81. At the start of a second term he would be 82 and at the end he would be 86. He regularly makes a name for himself with slips of the tongue and misfires. Trump, in particular, uses this to question his competitor's mental fitness – even if the Republican, who is only four years his junior, regularly makes embarrassing mistakes.
Biden has been struggling with poor poll numbers for months. Many voters see the economy in poor shape despite growth and low unemployment. Recently, the US government's Middle East policy has also alienated voters. Many Muslims and younger, progressive Democrats criticize Biden in view of the many civilian casualties of the Israeli military offensive in the Gaza Strip and consider his tone towards the Israeli leadership to be too mild.
There were verbal exchanges between demonstrators and passers-by in front of the hall.
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Image: Getty Images/Alex Kent/AFP
Currently, there is hardly a public appearance by Biden where he is not interrupted by troublemakers because of his dealings with Israel. Same in New York. When the president and his predecessors spoke at length about the Gaza war, there were several heckles. Protesters shouted “Blood on your hands,” as reporters present reported. Biden, Obama and Clinton, in turn, referred to the complex situation in the Middle East and the suffering on both sides in the conflict.
Trump also does campaign fundraising
For days, Trump had railed against the appearance of the three Democrats in calls for donations to his supporters and asked his supporters to give him money to counteract the event's million-dollar receipts. The Republican was also in New York on Thursday. He attended the memorial service for a slain New York police officer just outside the city limits. Trump's campaign tried to draw a contrast between his appearance and those of Biden, Obama and Clinton: President Trump paid respect to a slain official, while the three Democrats held a “glittering fundraising gala” with elite benefactors.
However, the Republican himself never misses an opportunity to raise money for his election campaign. A few weeks ago, he released gold Trump sneakers for $399 a pair. A few days ago, just in time for Easter, he presented a Bible that he is marketing together with country singer Lee Greenwood – priced at $59.99. “All Americans need a Bible in their home, and I have many of them. “It’s my favorite book,” Trump said in a promotional video on the Truth Social platform he co-founded. “We have to make America pray again.” Greenwood’s song “God Bless the USA” plays at all Trump appearances. There is now the “God Bless the USA” Bible.
Trump needs funds not only for the election campaign, but also for the many legal problems he faces. Trump has been sentenced to pay huge fines in several civil cases and has to stand trial in four criminal cases. All of these procedures cost him a lot of time and, above all, money in an election year.