Staff Reports
Prominent Hollywood megadonor Tom Strickler is shaking things up in the world of politics. According to a report in The New York Times, Strickler is using his vast financial influence to pressure vulnerable Senate Democrats into publicly denouncing Joe Biden and calling for him to abandon his bid for re-election. And he’s not mincing words either. Strickler has made it clear that he won’t be giving a single dime to these Democrats unless they comply with his demands.
The audacity of Strickler’s ultimatum is astounding. In a meeting with Senator Martin Heinrich, Strickler bluntly told the senator that he would withhold his financial support if Heinrich didn’t publicly break ties with Biden. It’s a strong-arm tactic that shows just how far some Hollywood elites are willing to go to push their agenda.
"They say money is the mother's milk of politics, and it has really dried up," says @semaforben after Jeffrey Katzenberg reportedly warned Pres. Biden that donors' patience is wearing thin. "People have stopped writing checks." pic.twitter.com/tjhpLoJJl3
— Last Call (@LastCallCNBC) July 17, 2024
But Strickler’s influence doesn’t stop there. He had planned to generously contribute the maximum legal amount to the campaigns of the seven most vulnerable Democratic Senate candidates in August. However, he has now vowed to withhold his support from them as well, citing their failure to distance themselves from Biden.
In fact, Strickler’s message has caught on among his fellow mega-donors. He has encouraged his friends to follow suit and withdraw their support from any candidate who aligns themselves with Biden. It’s a clear message that if you back Biden, you’ll lose the financial backing of some of Hollywood’s biggest influencers.
Strickler’s actions come at a time when Jeffrey Katzenberg, Biden’s campaign co-chair, held an emergency meeting with the president to address the dwindling donations. It seems that concerns over Biden’s age and performance are causing donors to reevaluate their support. As Katzenberg warned, the money is drying up and people have stopped writing checks.
Tom Strickler is just the latest in a growing list of Hollywood Democrats who are abandoning ship. After Biden’s disastrous debate performance, where he seemed disoriented, struggled to complete sentences, and even blurted out gibberish, Hollywood donors are flocking elsewhere. The likes of George Clooney, Ari Emanuel, Reed Hastings, and Barry Diller have all turned their backs on Biden.
Even one of Biden’s most loyal Hollywood supporters, Rob Reiner, has called on the president to “step down.” The writing is on the wall, yet Biden continues to hold onto power, refusing to acknowledge the growing voices calling for him to quit.
The impact of Hollywood megadonors like Tom Strickler should not be underestimated. Their financial influence can make or break a campaign, and the fact that they are turning their backs on Biden speaks volumes. It’s a clear indication that even within his own party, support for Biden is waning.
As the battle for the Democratic nominee to face off against former President Donald Trump heats up, it’s becoming increasingly evident that Biden’s grip on power is slipping. Whether he chooses to listen to the growing chorus of voices demanding his withdrawal remains to be seen. But one thing is certain, the Hollywood elite are no longer willing to back a candidate who can’t even string a coherent sentence together.
