Obama, Clinton and Biden Reunite for Most Lucrative Political Fundraiser in U.S. History: Photos

A New York gala headlined by the presidents brought in an estimated $25 million for Biden's reelection efforts, further bolstering the Democrat's cash advantage over Trump as election season heats up

Former US President Barack Obama (L) and former US President Bill Clinton (R) cheer for US President Joe Biden
President Joe Biden (center) with former Presidents Barack Obama (left) and Bill Clinton (right). Photo:

BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty

It's not every day you see more than one president in the same place — and it's especially rare to see three. So when Presidents Joe Biden, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton joined forces at New York's Radio City Music Hall on Thursday evening for a conversation with late-night host Stephen Colbert, it's no surprise that big things happened.

"An Evening with the Presidents" — which was hosted by Mindy Kaling and featured musical guests Lizzo, Queen Latifah, Ben Platt, Cynthia Erivo and Lea Michele — set a national fundraising record even before the program began, bringing in an estimated $25 million for the Biden Victory Fund, which aims to help President Biden win reelection in November.

Tickets for the event ranged from $225 on the low end to as high as $500,000 with all the VIP perks. To get a photo with all three commanders-in-chief at the event, guests were looking at a $100,000 price tag.

Former US President Barack Obama (L) and former US President Bill Clinton (R) clap for US President Joe Biden
President Joe Biden (center) with former Presidents Barack Obama (left) and Bill Clinton (right).

BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty

Biden, Obama and Clinton comprise half of all living U.S. presidents. The other Democrat in the group — 99-year-old Jimmy Carter — has been in hospice care for more than a year, and while Republican George W. Bush is on good terms with his liberal counterparts, he would be an unusual guest to find at an explicitly Democratic fundraiser.

Former US President Barack Obama (L) and US President Joe Biden
Former President Barack Obama (left) and President Joe Biden.

BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty

Donald Trump, meanwhile, also passed through New York City on Thursday for unrelated reasons, and attended the wake of a slain police officer on Long Island hours before Biden's fundraiser began.

Former US President Donald Trump (C) arrives for the wake for New York Police Department (NYPD) Officer Jonathan Diller in Massapequa, Long Island, New York, on March 28, 2024. Diller was part of the NYPD's Critical Response Team when he was gunned down during a traffic stop in Queens on the night of March 25.
Donald Trump arrives for the wake of slain NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller in Massapequa, New York, on March 28, 2024.

Angela WEISS / AFP via Getty

As election season heats up, Trump finds himself bogged down by a host of civil and criminal cases that have led to steep fines and numerous court appearances. The former president's first criminal trial is slated to begin in Manhattan on April 15, centered around 34 felony counts related to alleged hush money payments.

US talk show host Stephen Colbert, US President Joe Biden, former US President Barack Obama, and former US President Bill Clinton
Host Stephen Colbert (left) with President Joe Biden and former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.

BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty

Though Trump is polling stronger than many predicted when he first entered the race in 2022, he faces a major cash disadvantage compared to Biden that will only be exacerbated by Thursday's star-studded event.

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