CNN —
President JoeBiden delivered a series of stark warnings about what a second Donald Trump term could hold during a star-studded Los Angeles fundraiser Saturday evening, framing the 2024 presidential election as an inflection point in American history.
“Institutions matter,” the president said. “What (Trump) did on January 6,and now he’s literally saying if he doesn’t win there’ll beabloodbath— it’soutrageous. Whathe’s talkingaboutisoutrageous.”
The fundraiser, which featured former President Barack Obama, raised more than $30 million for Biden’s reelection efforts, a campaign official told CNN. The conversation between Biden and Obama was moderated by television host Jimmy Kimmel.
Bidenspecifically argued on Saturday evening that the next four years could see openings on theSupremeCourt, potentially leading to theappointmentofmore conservative justices ifTrumpis reelected.
“The ideathat if he’s reelected he’s going toappoint two more flying flags upside down,”Biden said inanapparent reference toaflag that once flewoutside the homeofJustice SamuelAlito.Asked by Kimmel whether he considered this the scariest partofasecond Trumpterm,Bidenresponded, “It is oneofthe scariest parts.”
“TheSupremeCourthasnever beenasoutofkilterasit is today, I mean never,” the president said, discussing the ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade and how Justice Clarence Thomassaid other rulings could be reconsidered, including on contraception. Someone in the crowd interjected, “including gay rights,” to whichBidenresponded, “Not on my watch.”
The Biden campaign has been looking to boost his financial war chest amid signs Trump is narrowing the money gap. Biden has led Trump in fundraising for most of the year, but the former president has seen a significant influx in cash come his way since securing the Republican nomination in March. Trump outraised Biden for the first time in April.
“We don’t have to just voteagainst something in this election,” Obamasaid. “We have someone to worryabout.And there’sawholeagendathat we should be concernedabout. But we can take pride inaffirming the extraordinary work that Joe hasdone.”
First lady Dr. Jill Biden, who also spoke at the event, touched on similar themes, saying that her husband “honors the rule of law instead of trying to bend it to his own will. And rallies the world to fight for democracy and freedom.”
She also made the case for the dangers of a second Trump term, saying, “Trump has told us again and again why he wants the White House. To give himself absolute power. To not be held accountable for his criminal actions. … To destroy the democratic safeguards that stand in his way.”
The first lady suggested that Trump is a bully, saying, “When bullies threaten our loved ones, we don’t just stand by.” She added that those in attendance were showing Trump “exactly how we deal with bullies. … We don’t cower, we don’t turn away. We show up. We speak up.”
Obama appeals to ‘core values’
Obamalamented how some in the country have “normalized behavior that used to be disqualifying,” referencingTrump’s recent conviction in his criminal hush money trial.
“We have the spectacleofthe nomineeofoneofthe two major parties sitting incourtand being convicted byajuryofhis peers on 34 counts,” Obamasaid toapplause. “His foundation is notallowed to operate because it wasengaging in monkey business. … You have his organization being prosecuted for not paying taxes,” Obamasaid.
Bideninterjected, “He paid none.”
When KimmelaskedBidenabout“Trumpamnesia,”Bidensaid: “All you got to do is remember what it waslike” duringTrump’s four years, pointingtoTrump’s recommendation thatpeople inject bleach to cure Covid-19.
Obamaalso urged “those whoare conservatively predisposed” — who may notagree with Democrats — to consider the “core values” that shaped the country, like “basic honesty.”
Kimmelasked Obamahow he feltaboutTrumpsaying he’s done more for Black people thanany president in history. Obamareplied “One thing he did, for example, wasmake them feel even betteraboutthe first Black president.”
Jokes fly at star-studded event
George Clooneyand JuliaRoberts opened up the night’s program. BarbraStreisand introduced first lady JillBidenwhile Jason Bateman, Jack Black, Kathryn Hahnand Sheryl Lee Ralphalso entertained the crowd.
Ashe spokeaboutapotentialsecondTrumpterm, KimmelaskedBiden, “Whatare some thingsapresident can do to, let’s say,atalk show host who hasbeen making funofhim every single night?”
“Ever heardofDeltaForce?”Bidenjoked before strikingamore serious tone, “The ideathat he’sactually threatened retribution. This is the United StatesofAmerica. Did you ever think you’d ever, ever, ever hearanything like this? Retribution, that’s what he’s going to do, he’s going to get backat people,” he said.
Kimmelalso noted that Bidenhassaid he wanted to restore the soulofthe country. “It looks like we might needan exorcism. Is that why you visited the pope?”
“Yeah,”Bidensaid.
Nikki Carvajal contributed reporting.
