President Joe Biden said today at a campaign event in Boston that he was not sure he'd run for a second term if former President Donald Trump were not in the race. He also stressed the importance of defeating the former president in 2024.
“If Trump wasn’t running, I’m not sure I'd be running,” President Biden told donors at the fundraising event.
“But we cannot let him win,” he added.
During his speech, he also highlighted President Trump’s continued calls to repeal the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.
President Biden’s visit to Boston was part of a weeklong fundraising tour in multiple states aimed at bolstering his campaign finances before the year’s end.
In Boston, the president centered his message on the high stakes of the upcoming election, pointing out that President Trump has been transparent about his intentions if he were to win again.
“Trump’s not even hiding the ball anymore. He’s telling us what he’s going to do. He’s making no bones about it,” he said.
President Biden cited his predecessor’s statements about seeking “retribution” and his promise to root out the “vermin” in the country, which President Biden compared to language used in Germany during the 1930s.
“He didn’t even show up at my inauguration. I can’t say I was disappointed, but he didn’t even show up,” Biden said, drawing laughter from the audience.
He also referred to his record-breaking 81 million votes in the 2020 election and joked, “almost like somebody’s age. It’s hell turning 40 twice.”
In Boston, the president had a busy schedule, including three campaign fundraisers, concluding with an evening concert by James Taylor at the Shubert Theatre in downtown Boston.
Biden on Fundraising Tour
On Friday, President Biden will travel to Los Angeles for a two-day trip to meet with wealthy donors, including tech executives, lawyers, politicians, and Hollywood stars.The fundraising event on Friday will take place at the home of Michael Smith, a celebrity interior designer, and his partner, James Costos, a former HBO executive and former ambassador to Spain during the Obama administration.
Directors Steven Spielberg and Rob Reiner, as well as recording industry mogul David Geffen, are expected to attend the event. Musician Lenny Kravitz is scheduled to perform at the event. Other notable guests include Barbra Streisand and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).
“We’re putting in the work across our fundraising program and look forward to again outperforming the MAGA field,” Biden campaign spokesperson Kevin Munoz told Reuters.
Hollywood has traditionally been a major source of funding for the Democratic Party. In 2020, Democrats received $163.6 million—88 percent of the total—in campaign contributions from the entertainment industry.
However, this year, the fundraising efforts have been hampered by strikes involving writers and actors in the industry. Hence, President Biden’s upcoming trip is aimed at regaining momentum in fundraising following the end of these strikes last month.
The president will continue his fundraising tour in Pennsylvania and Maryland next week.
In Boston, President Biden cautioned about increased restrictions on abortion if President Trump is re-elected.
“Trump’s new speaker supports a national ban on abortion under any circumstances,” he said.
President Biden reiterated his belief that democracy will be on the ballot in the next election, citing Liz Cheney’s recent remarks as a “powerful voice” and highlighting The Atlantic magazine’s issue with 20 different pieces outlining the threats posed by a second Trump term.
