Three presidents, $25 million: Joe Biden surrounded himself on Thursday with Barack Obama and Bill Clinton for a record-breaking evening of fundraising in New York, where Donald Trump was also there to campaign, in a completely different register.
The Republican attended the wake of a police officer who died in the line of duty, hours before the start of the US president’s campaign event, which was interrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters.
Joe Biden and his two Democratic predecessors were cheered upon their arrival on the stage of Radio City Hall, in the heart of Manhattan, where the famous dance group The Rockettes performs.
The campaign team of the 81-year-old Democrat had already announced in the morning a “record” fundraising for the event, of more than 25 million dollars, noting in passing that it was more than what Donald Trump had raised during the entire month of February.
Lizzo and Stephen Colbert present
Singers Queen Latifah and Lizzo, among others, warmed up the room before the 42nd, 44th and 46th presidents of the United States sat down for a debate moderated by host and comedian Stephen Colbert.
This discussion, which mixed serious topics and jokes, was interrupted several times by cries of support for Palestine. Protesters also gathered outside, near the performance hall, to denounce Joe Biden’s policy of almost unconditional support for Israel.
The American president has already been questioned in this way several times during his public appearances, and each of his trips now results in demonstrations chanting “Free Palestine!” or “Genocidal Joe.”
The speech of the three presidents concluded on a lighter note, when they put on Aviator sunglasses, Joe Biden’s favorite accessory.
Donald Trump’s spokesman, Steven Cheung, criticized the “showy evening” of the three Democrats “with their elitist and out-of-touch benefactors.” The former Republican president made a brief statement after attending the funeral wake of Jonathan Diller, shot to death on Monday during an operation on a public street.
“We have to stop this, we have to return to order and the law,” said the billionaire, who refrained from any direct criticism of his Democratic rival.
He dedicates a good part of his campaign speeches to attacking illegal immigration and criticizing Joe Biden for being lax when it comes to maintaining order.
Source: BFM TV
