On a Tuesday in early July, 75 wealthy Democratic political donors gathered on a Zoom call to discuss President Joe Biden’s performance after a debate against Donald Trump. Only one donor believed Biden should stay in the race, with the rest urging him to drop out for the party’s chance of defeating Trump in November. Big money donors have since launched a lobbying campaign aimed at convincing senior Democrats in Congress to publicly call on Biden to end his campaign. Donors like Ari and Zeke Emanuel, as well as Alan Jones, have made these calls with a threat to withhold support until Biden becomes a clear favorite against Trump. Despite pressure, Biden has stated he has no plans to drop out, with over 20 members of Congress publicly calling on him to step aside. Despite these challenges, events featuring Vice President Kamala Harris, Biden’s likely successor if he leaves the race, have started to sell out. An upcoming concert event with Harris in Pittsfield, Mass., featuring James Taylor and Yo-Yo Ma, has nearly sold out, indicating support for a potential Harris candidacy. While Biden’s fundraising has collapsed, events like these suggest a potential shift in party support.
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