President Joe Biden is flying high coming off his G7 trip to Italy. He flew straight to LA where he raised $30 million Saturday, June 15, at a star-studded fundraiser attended by George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Barbara Streisand and other celebrities.
Tickets ranged from $250 to $250,000. The night included a 40-minute conversation with the president and former President Barack Obama, moderated by comedian Jimmy Kimmel. All the money raised will be used to hire staffers, open new offices and pay for advertisements.
During the event, President Biden talked about the importance of the Supreme Court and said it’s likely whoever wins in November will appoint two more justices. He said to prevent Donald Trump from appointing two more conservative justices, elect him, not Trump.
“He’s already appointed two that have been very negative in terms of the rights of individuals,” Biden said. “The idea that if he’s reelected he’s going to appoint two more flying flags upside down. The Supreme Court has never been as out of kilter as it is today.”
In the current political climate, every step the president takes on camera is analyzed for signs of aging and Saturday night was no different.
The White House is rebutting a New York Post report claiming Biden appeared to freeze up at the end of the event and had to be led off stage by Obama.
The report is based on this video posted on X by reporter Chris Gardner. In the video, Obama grabs the president’s wrist and puts his arm around him as they walk off.
The White House said the president was taking a moment to enjoy an applauding crowd.
“Rupert Murdoch’s sad little super pac, the New York Post, is back to disrespecting it’s readers & itself once again,” deputy press secretary Andrew Bates said in a statement. “Their ethical standards could deal with a little unfreezing.”
Donald Trump also hit the campaign trail this weekend and made his case to a group that is vital to President Biden’s reelection: Black voters in Michigan.
Trump was in Detroit where he criticized Biden’s immigration policy. He said the record immigration under President Biden has disproportionately hurt the Black community.
“They’re coming into your community and they’re taking your jobs,” Trump said during a roundtable at an African American church in Detroit. “They’re affecting the African Americans and then after that the Hispanic Americans more than any other group.”
The outlet Bridge Michigan explained why Trump would visit such a Democratic stronghold.
“Trump’s campaigning in the predominantly Democratic city shows that Michigan is crucial in the race for the White House — and Republicans’ belief that he can make inroads in Black voters skeptical of President Joe Biden,” the outlet reported. “Recent polls suggest some slippage in Black voter support for Biden. In a close race, a few thousand votes could make a big difference.”
As Trump campaigns, he’s also vetting running mates. The Republican National Convention, where Trump will formally accept the nomination, begins on July 15. It’s reported that there are four potential vice presidents on a shortlist: North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, R, former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy and Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla.