Achi news desk-
A campaign fundraiser for US President Joe Biden in New York City that also stars Barack Obama and Bill Clinton has set a record for the largest trip for a political event, his campaign said.
The fundraiser reportedly raked in $US25 million ($A38 million) – a major show of Democratic support for Biden at a time of persistently low poll numbers.
The president will test the power of campaign cash as he faces presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, who has already proven with his 2016 victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton that he did not need to raise the most money to win the presidency.
The Radio City Music Hall event will be a golden exclamation point on a recent burst of presidential campaign trips.
Biden has visited several political battlegrounds in the three weeks since his State of the Union address served as a rallying cry for his re-election bid.
The event also brings together more than three decades of Democratic leadership.
The hour-long event has different tiers of entry depending on the generosity of donors.
The centerpiece is an on-stage conversation with the three presidents, moderated by late-night talk show host Stephen Colbert.
There is also a series of musical performers – Queen Latifah, Lizzo, Ben Platt, Cynthia Erivo and Lea Michele – who will be introduced by actress Mindy Kaling.
Thousands are expected, and tickets start from $US225.
More money gets donors more intimate time with the presidents.
A photo with the three is worth $US100,000.
A gift of $US250,000 gives donors access to one reception and $US500,000 gets them into an even more exclusive gathering.
“But the party doesn’t stop there,” according to the campaign.
First lady Jill Biden and DJ D-Nice are hosting an after party at Radio City Music Hall with 500 guests.
Obama and Clinton are helping Biden widen his significant financial advantage over Trump.
Biden had $US155 million in cash on hand through the end of February, compared to $US37 million for Trump and his Save America political action committee.
The $US25 million tally for Thursday’s New York City event includes money from supporters who handed over cash in the weeks leading up to the fundraiser for a chance to attend.
It raises $US5 million more than what Trump raised during February.
“This historic raise demonstrates strong enthusiasm for President Biden and Vice President Harris and is a testament to the unprecedented fundraising engine we have built,” said campaign co-chair Jeffrey Katzenberg.
“Unlike our opponent, every dollar we raise is going to reach the voters who will decide this election – communicating the president’s historic record, his vision for the future and setting the stakes of this election clearly”.
Trump has kept a low profile in recent weeks, in part because of court appearances for various lawsuits, the bills for which he pays with money from donors.
He is also expected to be in the area on Thursday, attending Long Island in the wake of a New York City police officer who was shot and killed during a traffic stop in Queens.
