President Joe Biden accused rival former President Donald Trump and his "MAGA Republicans" of being “determined to destroy American democracy” during a fundraising event in New York City Monday night, the Associated Press reported.
“Let there be no question, Donald Trump and his MAGA Republicans are determined to destroy American democracy,” Biden said to a packed house at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, referring to the former president’s slogan, “Make America Great Again.” “And I will always defend, protect, and fight for our democracy.”
Biden said during the fundraiser that hate groups are being “emboldened,” books are being banned, and children now fear going to school because of shootings, the report said.
The “Broadway for Biden” event was attended by big stars and others who shelled out between $250 and $7,500 for a ticket. It followed a privately hosted fundraiser by the Black Economic Alliance earlier in the day.
According to the report, Biden was in New York City to attend the United Nations General Assembly with other world leaders Tuesday and Wednesday.
Broadway producer Jeffrey Seller, known for his work on “Hamilton,” “Rent,” and “In the Heights,” introduced Biden, pledging the support of the estimated 1,500 people in the audience.
“President Biden, I am here to pledge to you that we in this theater — all 1,500 strong of us — are your warriors, are your troops in ensuring that we maintain, affirm, and nurture the soul of our democracy and the soul of our nation,” he said.
Except for Seller’s and Biden’s remarks, the event, which featured performances by Tony Award winning stars, was closed to the press.
Biden’s move to attend the Broadway event in New York, where the 51,000 members of the Actors’ Equity Association union remain on the job while the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA unions remain on strike on the west coast, gave the president the appearance of standing in solidarity with the unions, while not directly addressing the issues.
Sources told the AP Biden has been advised to stay clear of the ongoing strike and southern California to maintain his credibility with the union vote.
“Joe Biden is the most pro-labor president that I can recall in my lifetime. He is true to his word on that,” Chris Korge, who serves a dual role as finance chairman of the Democratic National Committee and the Biden Victory Fund, the chief fundraising committee for Biden’s reelection, told the AP. “The president will decide when is the right time to go, but it’s not impacting our fundraising ability at all.”
Charles Kim ✉
Charles Kim, a Newsmax general assignment writer, is an award-winning journalist with more than 30 years in reporting on news and politics.
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