Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your tax-deductible donation now.
There's A Biden Fundraiser In DTLA Today Featuring Obama And Hollywood. Translation: Traffic
U.S. President Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union address during a joint meeting of Congress in the House chamber at the U.S. Capitol on March 07, 2024 in Washington, DC. This is Biden’s last State of the Union address before the general election this coming November. Biden was joined by Vice President Kamala Harris and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA).
(
Chip Somodevilla
/
Getty Images
)
Topline:
President Joe Biden is in Los Angeles for a glitzy fundraiser featuring former President Barack Obama and multiple A-list stars at the Peacock Theater at L.A. Live later today. For the rest of us, that means road closures in the area.
Why it matters: The fundraiser is said to be emceed by Jimmy Kimmel, who will moderate a conversation between Biden and Obama. George Clooney and Julia Roberts are amongst the celebrities slated to also take part.
Yes, quite a line up. So expect heavy traffic in the downtown area, as well as road closures and intermittent freeway closures when Biden and Obama's motorcades roll through town.
One group calling for an end to the Gaza war is planning a rally in front of the L.A. Live venue today.
The backstory: According to CNN, today's star-studded event has raised $28 million so far for the Biden reelection campaign — a record haul beating out a March fundraiser in New York featuring a conversation between Biden, Obama and former president Bill Clinton that was moderated by Stephen Colbert.
According to CNN, ticket prices for today's event range from $250 to $500,000.
Sponsored message
What's next: Avoid downtown, you've been warned.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
