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The epicenter of the presidential campaign shifted to New York on Thursday, as the sitting president and three of his predecessors traveled there for dueling events, illustrating the type of political clash that could decide the general election.
For Democrats, it was a high-profile fundraiser for President Biden in Manhattan. On Long Island, former President Donald J. Trump attended a vigil for a New York City officer killed during a traffic stop on Monday. Today’s events marked an unusual moment in a general election campaign that has so far been defined largely by appearances in court and at small, invitation-only events. In recent weeks, Mr. Trump has spent far more time fighting in the courts than in battleground states.
Biden arrived with Barack Obama and Bill Clinton for a joint fundraiser at Radio City Music Hall, which campaign aides said raised $25 million. The stunning numbers set a record for a single political event, aides said, and signaled the unity of the star-studded Democratic Party as the president heads into a difficult re-election campaign.
Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, appeared in person at a funeral home on Long Island hours earlier. His campaign used the suspension to draw a sharp contrast with Biden and attack the Democrat, who spent the night with donors and celebrities.
Meanwhile, Biden has picked up the pace of events since his State of the Union address earlier this month. But the fundraiser is expected to draw 5,000 donors, making it one of the largest crowds he has ever appeared in as president. It will also expand its already sizable cash profits, raising $5 million overnight, more than Trump reported raising in February.
“This historic fundraising effort is a demonstration of the strong enthusiasm for President Biden and Vice President Harris and a testament to the unprecedented fundraising machine we have built,” said campaign co-chairman Jeffrey Katzenberg. Ta.
The day’s events highlighted the central dynamics of the election campaign. While Mr. Trump stands almost alone, Mr. Biden is running his campaign with the help of the Democratic establishment behind his candidacy.
Trump has the support of many Republicans in Congress, but a small but powerful faction within the party refuses to support his third bid for the White House. The only living former Republican president has not endorsed his candidacy, nor has former Vice President Mike Pence.
Biden faces another problem. Nearly every Democratic Party official, politician, and strategist supports his efforts. But he faces continued opposition from a vocal minority of progressives who have protested the war in Gaza through protest votes and the suspension of events.
On Thursday, a group of several hundred protesters marched through the rain and stood outside the fundraiser. “Biden, Biden, you are a liar. We demand a ceasefire,” they shouted.
Inside the hall, the three presidents were scheduled to appear on stage in front of about 5,000 attendees and have a conversation moderated by late-night talk show host Stephen Colbert. The music show, hosted by actress Mindy Kaling, will feature an array of celebrity endorsements including Queen Latifah, Lizzo, Ben Platt, Cynthia Erivo and Lea Michele.
Only a small number of members of the press accompanying the White House were allowed to attend the event, and media videotaping was prohibited. Before the fundraiser, the three presidents participated in a joint interview on the podcast “Smartless” hosted by actors Jason Bateman, Will Arnett and Sean Hayes.
Mr. Trump’s appearance gave a decidedly different impression. The former president spent about 30 minutes at a funeral home in the Long Island suburb of Massapequa, visiting with Officer Jonathan Diller’s widow and 1-year-old son. Diller was shot and killed during a traffic stop Monday.
Although it was not an official campaign event, Mr. Trump used the opportunity to promote a tough message against crime. Trump, who faces four criminal charges, including a trial in Manhattan starting in the next three weeks, stood before more than a dozen police officers and declared the need for the country to “take back our laws and our society.” did. order. “
His campaign pushed a different message, drawing a sharp contrast between Trump’s visit and other political events in the region.
“President Trump will be praising Officer Diller for his work,” campaign spokesman Stephen Chan said on social media.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who attended the wake after Mr. Trump, told reporters that Mr. Biden had called him to offer his condolences, and that Mr. Adams would convey them to the family. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden has supported law enforcement officers throughout his career.
“Violent crime skyrocketed under the previous administration,” the president said aboard Air Force One during a visit to New York. “The Biden-Harris administration has done just the opposite, taken decisive action from the start to defund the police and achieved historic crime reductions.”
michael gold and Julian Roberts-Grmala contributed reporting.
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