Celebrities and political figures gathered on a Zoom call to support Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign, raising over $3.5 million in the process. The event featured notable stars such as Mark Ruffalo, Josh Gad, Sean Astin, Mark Hamill, and Josh Groban, alongside prominent elected officials including North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, former House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, and Senator Gary Peters from Michigan. The call also included potential vice presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg.
During the event, many participants took the opportunity to criticize former President Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance. They aimed to counteract sexist remarks directed at Harris, who has been labeled as one of the “childless cat ladies” in leadership, as well as accusations that her appointment was merely a result of diversity initiatives. By the end of the evening, the Zoom call had successfully raised $3.5 million.
The fundraiser was organized by Brad Bauman and Ross Morales Rocketto, marking another significant effort in Harris’s fundraising campaign since President Joe Biden endorsed her as his successor. Morales Rocketto noted that the event was inspired by a previous initiative called Black Women for Harris.
Initially, Morales Rocketto expressed hesitance about organizing the event. He referenced a troubling history of white men organizing for negative causes, saying, “Throughout American history, when white men have organized, it was often with pointy hats on,” alluding to the Ku Klux Klan. He emphasized the need for the left to reclaim the narrative and not cede white men to the MAGA right.
A’Shanti Gholar, president of Emerge America, highlighted the importance of engaging white male voters in the political process. She shared her experience of being asked to promote the event, stating, “A lot of people said it meant a lot to just also see a black woman like me wanting to promote white men who were supporting Vice President Harris.”
Maurice Mitchell, the national director of the Working Families Party, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that white men represent a significant portion of the electorate. He pointed out that in close elections, even a small shift in voting patterns can have a substantial impact on the outcome. A Pew Research Center study from the 2020 election indicated that 40% of white men voted for Biden, a notable increase from the 32% who supported Hillary Clinton in 2016.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, a longtime friend of Harris, reinforced the idea that if white men could increase their support for Democrats by just one to two percent, it could lead to victory in the upcoming race. Cooper, who had been considered a potential running mate for Harris, announced shortly before the call that he would not pursue the vice presidency.
Throughout the call, participants pushed back against the narrative that Harris was merely a “DEI hire.” Cooper stated, “Here’s what they’re saying, that women and people of color don’t deserve to lead. We know better than that, guys.” Former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu added that the implications of such statements diminish the accomplishments of women and people of color, suggesting that they imply some individuals are inherently more deserving of leadership than others.
The meeting was not without humor, as attendees engaged in light-hearted banter. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker referenced a debunked rumor about Vance, joking, “I even created my own cognitive test that describes the two of them: ‘sofa, dolphin, shark, cats, convict.’”
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who is also seen as a potential running mate for Harris, remarked on the opportunity for white men to demonstrate that Trump does not represent them. He posed a rhetorical question, asking how often one gets the chance to change the trajectory of the world, adding, “And how often do you make that bastard wake up afterwards and know that a Black woman kicked his ass and sent him on the road?”
Actor Josh Gad contrasted the Zoom call with the Republican National Convention, highlighting the diversity of the participants. He quipped, “They have Kid Rock, Kevin Sorbo, and a dolphin aficionado, and we have the Hulk, Samwise Gamgee, Luke Skywalker, and Mayor Pete just on the Zoom.”
The event showcased a blend of celebrity influence and political activism, emphasizing the importance of unity and support for Harris’s campaign. The participation of both stars and political leaders underscored a collective effort to challenge the narratives surrounding Harris and to mobilize support from a broad spectrum of voters.
As the campaign progresses, the involvement of high-profile figures like Mark Ruffalo, Mark Hamill, Josh Gad, and Jeff Bridges on platforms like Zoom reflects a growing trend of leveraging celebrity status to engage and energize the electorate. The fundraising success of the event is a testament to the potential impact of such collaborations in shaping the political landscape.
The Zoom call not only raised significant funds but also served as a platform for dialogue about the importance of representation and the need for diverse voices in leadership roles. The attendees’ commitment to supporting Harris’s candidacy highlights a collective desire to challenge the status quo and advocate for a more inclusive political environment.
As the election approaches, the efforts of these celebrities and political figures will likely play a crucial role in mobilizing support for Harris and addressing the challenges she faces as a candidate. The combination of entertainment and activism may prove to be a powerful tool in shaping public perception and driving voter engagement.
Source: Independent
