Panic over Joe Biden’s debate performance isn’t stopping billionaires from flocking to a fundraiser at a $147 million waterfront mansion in the Hamptons this weekend, but their only hope is that Biden “performs better,” sources told The Washington Post.
“We have no choice but to trust that Biden will redeem himself. I can’t see any other option,” said a source at Saturday’s event. “I’m going, everyone I know is going.”
The source, who asked not to be named, said he will remain loyal to Biden and “go home with the girl he brought to the dance.”
He acknowledged that voters “may not be excited” [about Biden] … At the end of the day, we’re here.”
Another longtime donor who will be absent from the afternoon party told the Post: “I’m so disappointed. [to the fundraiser] “It’s very disappointing. They all paid up front so maybe this is an opportunity to encourage them to leave.”
Sources told the Post that they support Biden, but noted that longtime donor Jill Biden may get a cold shoulder at the event. “A lot of people are blaming his wife… for not saying anything to him,” she said. [to step aside].”
“Jill Biden loves being first lady and doesn’t want to let it go,” added one Democratic adviser.
The president plans to visit the upscale neighborhood of East Hampton after visiting New York City on Friday to attend a fundraiser at the Hammerstein Ballroom marking the 55th anniversary of the Stonewall Inn riots with Elton John.
Biden will be accompanying hedge fund manager Barry Rosenstein and his wife, Lizanne, at their sprawling 18-acre waterfront estate in East Hampton, which became the most expensive residential real estate sale when the Rosensteins bought it in 2014.
Clinton allies Nicole and Michael Fox, hedge fund mogul Eric Mindich and his Tony Award-winning producer wife Stacey, celebrity duo Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick, and actors Michael J. Fox and Tracy Pollan were among those on the event’s organizing committee, and reportedly paid as much as $250,000 for the privilege of meeting the president, according to a New York Times report. East Hampton Press.
There are different levels of tickets, with prices starting at $3,300, including a $30,000 “champion” ticket that includes a photo with the president and “preferred seating” at the event, and a $100,000 “co-host” ticket that includes a photo for two and preferred seating.
It’s unclear how many tickets have been sold, but one attendee told The Washington Post that they only secured their seats earlier this week and that tickets are still on sale.
Despite reports of unrest within the Democratic Party over Biden’s debate performance, the president said he is determined to continue the campaign, and CNN reported that he has vowed to return for the second debate, scheduled for September.
A Biden campaign spokesman declined to comment.
One Hampton resident who doesn’t pay much attention to politics told The Post he was more concerned about Biden’s visit, which will result in “temporary flight restrictions” over Long Island, than he was about his political future.
“He ruined my weekend plans.”
