Internet up in arms over 'out-of-touch' Joe Biden's Hollywood fundraising trip for 2024 presidential election

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: In a star-studded Hollywood weekend, President Joe Biden initiated his 2024 fundraising efforts with a visit to Los Angeles, seizing the spotlight to call out former President Trump and advocate for a second term.

After a summer marked by strikes and industry unrest, the President and First Lady engaged in six fundraising events across Southern California.

Inside Joe Biden's fundraising weekend 

At the first event on Friday night, December 8, headlined by legendary rocker Lenny Kravitz, President Biden expressed, “This is an incredibly successful night,” jokingly citing his brevity in speaking as being "the only thing standing between you and Lenny Kravitz," as per The Associated Press.

The event reportedly raised an impressive $8 million for the President.

Notable figures such as Barbra Streisand, Rob Reiner, David Geffen, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Governor Gavin Newsom, and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass were in attendance, making it a star-studded affair.

Seizing the opportunity, President Biden took a swipe at his likely opponent, highlighting Trump’s election denial as a threat to the nation.

He quipped about Trump's absence at his inauguration, saying, “He refused to show up at my inauguration. I can’t say I was disappointed. My guess is he won’t show up at the next inauguration.”

The fundraising weekend was anticipated to be the largest of the campaign, with a fourth-quarter goal set at $67 million, as reported by the news outlet.

Jeffrey Katzenberg, national co-chair of the Biden campaign and founder of DreamWorks, expressed the unprecedented excitement and enthusiasm among supporters.

 “The pent-up excitement, enthusiasm is really unprecedented,” he told the AP, adding, “People are excited. They’re mobilized. And they’ve been waiting months to show their support for him.” 

The following day, on December 9, Biden attended a more low-key event at Katzenberg’s home.

Reflecting on the fervor surrounding the President, Katzenberg remarked, “Whether the enthusiasm is because of the exceptional accomplishments of President Biden or because of the extreme alternative of someone who is declaring themselves to be an autocrat, either way, you get to the same place: Joe Biden’s your person.”

Despite the successful fundraising year, the President faced criticism and protests during the Hollywood tour.

Former Democratic supporters picketed the Friday event, expressing discontent with Biden's response to the war in Gaza, chanting support for Palestine and branding the President as “Genocide Joe.”

Joe Biden's Hollywood fundraising efforts sparks backlash 

Social media also played a role in critiquing Biden’s fundraising efforts, with some users questioning his priorities.

"Joe Biden is in Hollywood fundraising, he should be at Army Navy game..." one posted on X (formerly Twitter).

"Joe seems to be really kicking off his Presidential run and immediately goes to liberal Hollywood stars for money. That's really great, an out-of-touch President begging an out-of-touch Hollywood. They deserve each other—all IMO," another offered.

"Of course, he’s fundraising in Hollywood. He can’t be bothered to avail himself to voters who live in the real world and feel the consequences of his policies," someone else chimed in.

"Great time to give Hollywood zero money," another wrote.