Biden says his glitzy fundraiser with Obama and Clinton projects party unity heading into November

NEW YORK (AP) — Fresh off his largest-ever fundraiser, which featured Democratic predecessors Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, President Joe Biden declared Friday that the big-dollar event shows “that we are united” in ways Republicans can’t match.

The Biden campaign said it took in a record $26 million from the sold-out gathering at Radio City Music Hall, which also featured late-night host Stephen Colbert as moderator for the presidential trio. Biden spent the night in New York, then addressed a separate crowd of around 200 of his largest donors and fundraisers from in and around the city.

“It’s because of you that I can say that we’ve raised more money than previous Democratic campaign in history,” said Biden, whose reelection bid said it already had $155 million in cash on hand through the end of February — before Thursday night’s take was factored in.

“A couple of us have been doing this for a year or two. I don’t ever remember an event like last night,” Biden said of himself and the past presidents. He added wistfully, “I’m the president but was looking out there, holy God.”

Biden said that “last night showed the skeptics, it showed the press, it showed everyone that we are united.” He is trying to present a stark contrast with former President Donald Trump, who is now seeking to win back the White House but has been shunned by his only living Republican predecessor, President George W. Bush.

<bsp-list-loadmore data-module="" class=«PageListStandardB» data-gtm-region=«READ MORE» data-gtm-topic=«No Value» data-show-loadmore=«true» data-gtm-modulestyle=«List B»> <bsp-custom-headline custom-headline=«div»> READ MORE </bsp-custom-headline> <bsp-custom-headline custom-headline=«div»> Biden says he’s working to secure release