Obama and Clinton Officially Join Biden... Trump Says "We Must Defeat the Cartel"

With the U.S. presidential election approaching this November, former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton have made their full-fledged appearances. At a fundraising event held in New York to support President Joe Biden’s re-election bid, three Democratic former and current presidents appeared, raising over $25 million (approximately 33.7 billion KRW) in election funds in just one day. Meanwhile, former Republican candidate Donald Trump sarcastically referred to the event as a "Trump Hate Talk Show," saying "We must defeat the cartel."

[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

According to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) and others, on the evening of the 28th (local time), President Biden attended a fundraising event at Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan, New York, alongside former Democratic presidents Obama and Clinton. At the venue, which bore the phrase "An Evening with Joe Biden Barack Obama Bill Clinton," thousands of attendees witnessed a dialogue among the former and current presidents as well as performances by singers. The Biden campaign confirmed that the event raised about $25 million, calling it "the most successful fundraising event in U.S. history."

In particular, the full-scale involvement of the two former presidents is considered highly significant for President Biden as he prepares for a rematch against former President Trump this November. Attention is also focused on the roles they will play and the extent of their involvement in the upcoming presidential campaign. Given the serious concerns that a second Trump administration could emerge, it is analyzed that they may take a more active role than ever before.

Former President Obama has recently expressed serious concerns about the possibility of former President Trump winning the election and is reportedly regularly calling White House aides to strategize and offer advice. WSJ noted that although the relationships among the three former and current presidents were complicated, especially regarding Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential run, "they have all united against the threat posed by former President Trump."

[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

In the past, President Biden served as Vice President under the Obama administration, working closely as a running mate for eight years. However, local media report that before the 2016 election, Obama’s blocking of Biden’s bid in the Democratic primary led to misunderstandings and distrust between the two. Ahead of this re-election bid, the White House was reportedly displeased when a close aide of former President Obama made comments questioning Biden’s chances of winning. Additionally, Hillary Clinton is the wife of former President Bill Clinton.

WSJ stated, "At that time, Hillary Clinton’s candidacy was a catalyst connecting all three former and current presidents," adding, "It is rare for a sitting president and two former presidents to gather together. They are mindful of what a second Trump administration would mean for the country, the party, and their legacies." The Associated Press (AP) also reported, "More than 30 years of Democratic leadership gathered in one place," noting that "former President Obama hitched a ride on President Biden’s Air Force One, traveling together from Washington D.C. to New York."

Especially, the $25 million raised at the event is seen as evidence that their joint efforts are bearing fruit. This amount is $5 million more than the political funds raised by former President Trump during the entire month of February. As of the end of last month, Biden’s campaign had secured a total of $155 million in election funds, while former President Trump, burdened with legal expenses, had only $37 million.

Leon Panetta, who served in the Clinton and Obama administrations, told AP that the event was important for Biden’s campaign, emphasizing "expanding and strengthening the support of all Democrats." He also added that former Presidents Clinton and Obama, who are regarded as having effective political communication skills, could positively influence Biden’s re-election.

[Image source=Getty Images Yonhap News]

On the other hand, former President Trump expressed his displeasure openly by calling the event a "Trump Hate Talk Show" in an email sent to his supporters the day before. He said, "We must defeat the Obama-Clinton cartel," and also requested donations for his campaign. Trump has not received endorsements from former Republican President George W. Bush, former Vice President Mike Pence, or primary rival and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley. On the day of the event, he attended the funeral of an NYPD officer who died during a traffic stop in New York, stating, "We must stop (crime) and return to law and order."