Vice President Kamala Harris is preparing to host a gay pride-themed fundraiser in Hollywood just days after President Joe Biden’s widely criticized debate performance. The event, scheduled for Saturday, will feature high-profile entertainment industry figures such as Rob Reiner and CAA’s Kevin Huvane, along with celebrities like Idina Menzel and Yeardley Smith. The fundraiser is being co-hosted by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), a controversial LGBTQ lobbying group.
Biden’s debate performance has thrown the Democratic Party into disarray, with many leaders and donors calling for his replacement on the presidential ticket. During the debate, Biden experienced several notable lapses, including one instance where he appeared to shut down completely before abruptly exclaiming, “We finally beat Medicare.” These moments have intensified concerns about his ability to continue his campaign.
In the aftermath of the debate, Democratic donors have expressed alarm. “This is terrible. Worse than I thought was possible. Everyone I’m speaking with thinks Biden should drop out,” one donor told CNBC. Another described the situation as a “disaster,” while a longtime campaign advisor reportedly called it “game over.”
Vice President Harris attempted to mitigate the fallout, urging voters not to judge the presidential race solely based on the debate. “Let us not decide the outcome of who’s going to be president of the United States based on a 90-minute debate,” she told ABC News. However, Harris herself is not particularly popular among voters, with a recent Politico/Morning Consult poll indicating that the majority of Americans do not believe she would make a good president.
As Harris gears up for the fundraiser, she faces the challenge of rallying support amid growing doubts about the Democratic ticket. The Hollywood event, despite its high-profile guest list, will test Harris’s ability to reassure donors and voters in the wake of Biden’s troubling debate performance.
