President Joe Biden launched a three-day fundraising tour in California, notable for both its high-profile nature and for the president’s remarks on political adversaries. At a Los Angeles event, Biden humorously addressed Donald Trump’s recent comment about potentially acting as a dictator “on day one” if re-elected. Biden responded with a quip, lightening the atmosphere amid a serious political backdrop.
During the trip, the president indirectly referenced Trump as a threat to democracy, recalling Trump’s indictment in August for attempts to overturn the 2020 election results. Notably, Biden refrained from discussing recent criminal charges against his son, Hunter, who is accused of tax evasion.
The fundraising tour, tapping into the affluent entertainment industry in California, is expected to be highly successful. Jeffrey Katzenberg, co-founder of DreamWorks Animation and campaign co-chair, anticipates record-breaking results. The tour includes exclusive events featuring directors like Steven Spielberg and musicians such as Barbra Streisand and Lenny Kravitz.
Biden’s trip also includes policy announcements. In Las Vegas, he revealed a $8.2 billion investment for new passenger rail projects, part of the $1 trillion infrastructure law. This includes a $3 billion allocation for the nation’s first high-speed rail line in California, and another $3 billion for a high-speed rail corridor between Las Vegas and Southern California.