President Joe Biden spoke to the media and then left the room.
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Major Hollywood donors are increasingly distancing themselves from Joe Biden's reelection campaign in the wake of last week's debate disaster. Some of the president's most loyal and well-funded supporters have publicly vowed to withdraw their support in the wake of his fragile and shaky showdown with Donald Trump. In the aftermath, a flurry of reports has detailed how the White House (and to some extent the media itself) have long concealed the true extent of the president's cognitive distress.
Several donors have taken the position that they will halt their support. all Democratic candidates will likely increase pressure on Biden to withdraw from the race. After all, it's not just the presidential election that's at stake in November, but also the lower-level races for the House and Senate. The drama is perhaps unique in modern political history, with longtime party staunch supporters delivering an ultimatum to the US president just four months before a crucial general election: withdraw or withdraw.
Below are some of the key figures who reportedly and publicly abandoned their support for the Biden campaign last week, as well as some of the high-profile supporters who are remaining silent.
Reed Hastings Netflix co-founder The New York Times“Biden needs to step down and strong Democratic leadership must work to defeat Trump and keep us all safe and prosperous.” Hastings and his wife, Patty Quillin, have reportedly donated more than $20 million to support Democrats in recent years.
Barry Diller The media mogul, who is trying to take control of Paramount, simply replied “no” when asked by Ankler if he and his wife, Diane von Furstenberg, still support Biden. Diller has reportedly donated $100,000 to the president and a Democratic super PAC in 2023.
Abigail Disney The billionaire Disney heir and activist told CNBC she would suspend all donations to the Democratic party until they fielded a candidate to replace Biden. “Biden is a good man and has served the country well, but the stakes are too high. If Biden doesn't step down, the Democrats will lose. I'm absolutely certain of that. The consequences of a defeat would be truly devastating.”
Damon Lindelof of lost and leftovers The showrunner wrote an essay deadline He argues that Democrats should halt all financial support until Biden leaves office: “I know what my eyes, ears and heart are telling me. I was asleep at the wheel, but it's time to wake up…I believe in Joe Biden. I believe in him so much that I wrote him a sizeable check just two weeks ago, which I was forced to do given his opponent…I suggest DEMbargo. I won't write a check. I won't click on the ActBlue link. To anyone….Is it wrong to punish an entire team for one pitcher's stubbornness? Maybe. But if he stays, they'll be Also “You will lose. A rising tide floats all boats. A Biden tide will sink you. … When they text you asking for cash, reply that you're not giving them a dime and that you won't change your mind until you see change at the top of the ballot box.”
Ari Emanuel Perhaps most strikingly, the CEO of Endeavor and big Democratic donor blasted Biden and the Democratic Party at the Aspen Ideas Festival. The Hollywood ReporterEmmanuel complained.[Biden] He said he was going to run for one term and he was going to do it to restore democracy. And now he's running for a second term. That's the first nonsense he's talking about. He and his people say he [been] It's been healthy for over a year now…Money is the lifeblood of the campaign, and this is probably the only way [solved] The thing is, once the money starts drying up … I've talked to a group of big donors, they're moving all of their money to the House and the Senate,” Emanuel later added. “We're in Fuck City!”
And there are several prominent figures who have remained largely silent since the debate (at least publicly; there are many who have strong opinions on the issue but are probably keeping their comments private for now).
Jeffrey Katzenberg The tycoon has played a very active role in fundraising for Biden (recently hosting an event that reportedly raised $30 million) and has publicly and privately assured people over the last year that the president is mentally capable of handling another four years in office. Financial Times “The president looks younger than 80 years old, with the wisdom, knowledge and experience he has demonstrated over the past two years. He is healthy, proactive and full of energy,” he said last year. He has also reportedly hit back at skeptics by claiming Biden's age is a “superpower”.
Steven Spielberg The beloved Oscar-winning actor has been active in Biden's reelection campaign, most recently supporting the president during his anniversary speech on the cliffs of Normandy, and is working with the Democratic National Committee in August to help plan the convention.
Jimmy Kimmel As well as constantly mocking Trump as an ABC host; Jimmy Kimmel Live!Comedian and talk show host Kimmel attended a Biden fundraiser last month, where he moderated a conversation between the current president and Barack Obama. Kimmel's show currently has guest hosts, but he has spoken out on political issues in the past on X. He has yet to speak out about Biden since the debate.
George Clooney and Julia Roberts Both A-listers have long been sympathetic to Democratic politics and fundraising, and have been active in supporting the Biden campaign. Last month, Clooney wrote a fundraising email urging contributions to the Biden campaign, calling the 2024 election “a battle for the soul of the nation.” Barbra Streisand, another major Democratic donor to the event, blasted Trump, the moderators and the Supreme Court after the debate, but Otherwise it is supported White House view: “Biden had a bad night. Enough of the Democrat panic.”
