President Joe Biden landed in California on Tuesday for a major fundraiser only to discover that the hosts of his glitzy first event had tested positive for COVID-19.
Haim Saban, an Israeli-American media mogul who introduced the US to the Power Rangers, fell ill earlier in the day and entertainment executive Casey Wasserman tested positive, according to replacement host Leslie Gilbert-Lurie.
It felt like a strange throwback to the 2020 election, when campaigning was reduced to Zoom events and pandemic precautions.
“I wish them the fastest recovery,” Biden said as he took the stage in front of several hundred supporters, including Jane Fonda.
Details of the positive tests emerged shortly after Air Force One landed at Los Angeles International Airport.
His motorcade reached billionaire Saban's home in the Santa Monica hills as planned, and the event, for which tickets already cost $250,000, still took place.
President Joe Biden will make his second trip of the month to California on Tuesday. The three-day trip includes a series of fundraising events as well as an official speech. Biden is seen here as he traveled to New York for fundraisers earlier this month
President Joe Biden wished Haim Saban, left, and Casey Wasserman a speedy recovery at his fundraiser in Los Angeles after they tested positive for COVID-19
Biden apologized for keeping his audience waiting.
“Look, guys, I wouldn't wait that long for anyone except maybe…What's your name? Jane Fonda?” He remained expressionless before the crowd erupted in laughter.
He took the opportunity to condemn former President Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans who stood alongside him for their failure.
“When Navalny died last week and the world blames Putin for it, Trump doesn’t even condemn it,” he said of the Russian opposition leader who died in a Russian prison last week. “It’s outrageous.”
“Bottom line: Republicans must decide who they serve? Donald Trump or the American people?”
It is his second visit to the state this month to bolster a campaign coffers already stuffed with $130 million, the most ever by a Democratic candidate at this stage of the race.
The trip is his third visit to California in just over two months for political events, part of a catch-up after he avoided the state because of last year's writers' strike.
His first stop was Los Angeles. His three-day trip will also include campaign events in San Francisco and Los Altos Hills, with an official policy handing out near Los Angeles on Wednesday.
The first event took place at Saban's home. He is a known supporter of Israel and has raised concerns that it could attract protesters demanding a ceasefire in Gaza.
The Los Angeles Times said other hosts also had close ties to the Jewish community, including Leslie Gilbert-Lurie, author of a book about her life as the daughter of a Holocaust survivor, and Nicole Mutchnik, vice chair of the Anti-Defamation League. which campaigns against anti-Semitism.
The first stop was the home of Haim Saban, who is worth an estimated $2.8 billion, according to Forbes. However, we were reportedly unable to attend due to COVID
Saban is known for purchasing the rights to the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and introducing them to American television
It was reported that tickets for the event started at $3,300.
Feeling like a throwback to the 2020 election campaign, organizers had to scramble to ensure the event went ahead after both hosts tested positive for COVID-19.
Anyone who comes into contact with the president will still be required to undergo testing.
Gilbert-Lurie assured the audience that they were safe.
“Unfortunately, Haim became ill with COVID early this morning, well before guests arrived,” she said. “Out of an abundance of caution, his family is isolating and we wish them a speedy recovery.”
“To everyone's surprise, Casey tested positive later that afternoon. 'But well before any of you arrived.'
The repeated swings in California, a state not even remotely competitive for Republicans, show that Biden must continue to raise money for the difficult duel with Trump, who has mastered the art of attracting millions of small donors.
In its announcement Tuesday, the Biden campaign emphasized the importance of small donations, saying 97 percent of its three million donations were less than $200 apiece.
Senior communications adviser TJ Ducklo said: “With this effort we are reaching directly to the voters who will decide this election.”
Earlier this month, the president visited Star Wars creator George Lucas' home in Los Angeles, where he addressed wealthy donors who were in town for the Golden Globes.
U.S. Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA) and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass greet U.S. President Joe Biden upon his arrival in Los Angeles, California, Tuesday afternoon
National polls suggest Biden is about three or four points behind the likely Republican nominee.
He has gone on the offensive after Trump made comments that appeared to undermine NATO, the alliance of Western nations committed to mutual defense.
The campaign rolled out digital ads in the battleground states of Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin to highlight the former president's threat to NATO nations.
And Biden has also criticized House Republicans for blocking a bill that would have sent $60 billion in aid to Ukraine for its defense against Russia.
“The idea that we withdraw from Ukraine, the idea that we allow NATO to split, is completely contrary to the interests of the United States of America and the word we gave…” … all the way back to Eisenhower.” he told reporters on Sunday.