Presidential powerhouse: Biden, Obama, Clinton unite amid fundraiser protests

The event, held at Radio City Music Hall and moderated by Stephen Colbert, aimed to raise over $25 million for Biden's reelection campaign. However, the gathering faced disruptions as protesters voiced opposition to Biden's support for Israel amid the ongoing conflict with Hamas, which has resulted in over 30,000 casualties in Gaza.

During the event, which coincided with an EU agriculture ministers' meeting, Obama and Clinton discussed the challenges of supporting Israel while advocating for Palestinian rights to food, medical supplies, and statehood. Obama highlighted the complexity of presidential decisions, emphasizing the loneliness of the presidency and the impossibility of satisfying everyone's purity standards for those decisions.

The fundraiser also touched on economic topics, with the former presidents defending Biden's economic policies, which they argued have outperformed those of the Trump administration. Clinton underscored Biden's positive impact on America and endorsed him for a second term.

The event, which featured performances by Queen Latifah, Lizzo, Ben Platt, Cynthia Erivo, and Lea Michele, also saw high-profile attendees, including a photo session with Annie Leibovitz. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump, Biden's rival for the upcoming election, was also in New York for a different reason, attending a wake for a slain city policeman.

Despite Biden's challenges, including concerns about his age and a tight race with Trump, the event showcased Democratic unity and fundraising prowess. Ticket prices ranged from $250 to $500,000, attracting more than 5,000 attendees. Amidst tepid public enthusiasm and Republican opposition to Trump, Biden's allies rallied support, demonstrating his fundraising advantage over Trump, who faces legal challenges but continues to emphasize law and order in his campaign.