The Hollywood power players turning on the Biden campaign: ‘It’s about the ability to WIN’

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As a long-time Democrat and Hollywood insider, I’ve seen my fair share of political campaigns and the role that the entertainment industry plays in shaping the political landscape. The recent debate performance by President Biden has left many of us feeling uneasy about his ability to win against Donald Trump in 2024.

Hollywood knows a flop when it sees one.

It’s no wonder that some prominent figures in the industry are expressing concern after President Biden had a less-than-stellar showing during last week’s debate with former President Trump.

Some major investors in Hollywood are becoming uneasy about Biden’s chances and are speaking out more frequently, urging Democrats to consider replacing him as their presidential nominee.

As a movie reviewer, I’d put it this way: When I read Damon Lindelof’s opinion piece published in Deadline on hump day, I was taken aback. The outspoken “Lost” co-creator declared he would withhold future contributions until Vice President Biden stepped down as the Democratic presidential nominee. The drumbeat from Hollywood’s liberal sector has been growing louder by the day.

In an email sent to The Times on a Friday, Lindelof expressed his changed opinion about Biden’s presidency following his debate performance. Initially intended to alleviate worries regarding Biden’s age, the debate instead raised concerns. Despite having deep admiration for Biden, Lindelof believed the risks of him continuing in the race were too significant. He contributed $125,000 to the Biden campaign and almost as much to Democratic Senate and congressional candidates this election cycle.

“For me, this isn’t about the ability to govern, it’s about the ability to WIN,” he wrote.

As a concerned moviegoer and Democrat, I can’t help but feel uneasy about the potential risks facing our party during this upcoming election. With President Biden at the helm, there are valid concerns that his liabilities could extend beyond the White House, putting at risk critical downballot races. If we lose these races, it could cause significant and long-lasting damage to the Democratic cause. We must remain vigilant and work diligently to mitigate these risks.

Reed Hastings, one of Netflix’s co-founders, has urged President Biden to step down and let a strong Democratic candidate take on Trump in the upcoming election, as mentioned in The New York Times. The paper also disclosed that Hastings and his spouse have made over $20 million in donations to the Democratic Party recently. When approached for additional comments, Hastings chose not to respond.

Some notable figures in Hollywood have expressed apprehensions about Biden’s ongoing involvement in the campaign. Among them are Ari Emanuel, CEO of Endeavor, and Rahm Emanuel’s brother; and Barry Diller, media mogul, who straightforwardly answered “No” when asked if he would carry on supporting the Biden campaign. Abigail Disney, filmmaker and heir to Disney, has declared she will withhold her donations until Biden is removed as the Democratic Party’s leading candidate.

Biden has announced that he will continue his campaign, in spite of increasing challenges. On Friday, during a rally at a Wisconsin middle school, he addressed his less-than-impressive debate performance but pledged to carry on and persevere.

“I beat Donald Trump,” Biden said. “I will beat him again.”

As a devoted fan of Hollywood and its influence on American politics, I can’t help but notice the significant role it plays in funding the Democratic Party. For years, influential figures from Tinsel Town have organized grand fundraisers and publicly endorsed candidates. Now, with the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the Biden campaign, this historic alliance causes palpable concern within Hollywood circles.

In simpler terms, Steve Caplan, an adjunct instructor at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, who is teaching a course on political advertising and the 2024 election, stated that “the situation seems to be that Joe Biden and his inner circle, along with a few trusted advisors, have control over things right now. However, without significant campaign donations, especially from megadonors like those in Hollywood, there can be no successful campaign.”

Recently, at a glamorous event in downtown Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater, some of Hollywood’s most famous faces gathered for a fundraiser supporting Biden. This high-profile event was orchestrated by influential media mogul and former DreamWorks Animation CEO, Jeffrey Katzenberg. In attendance were notable figures such as Jimmy Kimmel, the popular late-night TV host, and acting stars George Clooney and Julia Roberts.

The event raised more than $30 million, according to the Biden campaign.

Katzenberg is one of Biden’s seven campaign co-chairs and has raised millions for his race. After he repeatedly dismissed Democrats’ concerns that Biden was too old to run — going so far as to call Biden’s age his “superpower” — some Hollywood donors are now frustrated. Since the June 27 debate, Katzenberg has been uncharacteristically silent.

Instead of “Katzenberg, who founded Quibi’s brief tenure streaming service, chose not to speak for this article and directed queries towards the Biden campaign.” You could also say: Katzeneg, the brainchild behind the short-lived streaming platform Quibi, remained silent for this piece and deferred inquiries to the Biden campaign.

The fate of Biden’s presidency may hinge on these three aspects: the views of Democratic Party leaders, his poll numbers, and the opinions of major campaign contributors, according to Jessica Levinson, an election law professor at Loyola Law School.

If your major donors decide to withdraw their support, this isn’t only a financial loss, but also sends a strong message to others.

Already, talk has started to turn toward who could replace Biden.

Some local and state-level politicians and activists are pondering, with feelings of discomfort and unwillingness, the possibility of a presidential campaign headed by Vice President Kamala Harris, according to Donna Bojarsky, a seasoned Democratic political consultant who operates a nonprofit aimed at fostering civic participation in Los Angeles.

“She expressed anticipation for Kamala, hinting at the allure of a new generation leading the way into the future,” or “She voiced her growing enthusiasm for Kamala, as the prospect of fresh leadership looked promising.”

Some industry experts believe that newcomers like Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, California Governor Gavin Newsom, and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear could generate greater interest due to their fresh perspectives.

But not everyone in Hollywood is hitting the panic button.

As a passionate supporter of the Democratic Party, I believe we all need to pause for a moment and take a deep breath. The current situation will resolve itself in due time.

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2024-07-18 21:53