Hillary Clinton Courts Showbiz Donors in Latest Fundraising Swing (Updated)
In her first Southern California fundraising swing since the Democratic National Convention, Hillary Clinton raised money at a series of events on Monday that drew studio chieftains, Hollywood celebrities and business moguls.
At a dinner at the Beverly Park home of Haim Saban and his wife Cheryl — longtime supporters of the Clintons and a SuperPAC, Priorities USA Action, that is backing her campaign — she spoke in great detail about issues like manufacturing, infrastructure and education in a Q&A format, according to attendees who were there.
She also talked about the Clinton Foundation, which has been the source of controversy in the campaign, but emphasized the work it has done on issues such as lowering the price of HIV/AIDS drugs in Africa, according to attendees. She noted that all recent past presidents have set up foundations for philanthropic work.
Walt Disney Co. CEO Bob Iger, who introduced Clinton, and Peter Chernin, who also spoke briefly, to a crowd of about 80 people.
One attendee said Clinton’s answers were “not superficial” but she was “drilling three layers down. She was able to pivot from politics and policy very substantively.”
Co-chairs of the event were the Sabans, Iger and Willow Bay, Jon Vein and Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Peter and Megan Chernin, Katzenberg and his wife Marilyn, Michael Kives, Laura and Casey Wasserman, Thomas and Alba Tull, Sanford and Laura Michelman, and Sean and Teresa Burton.
Tickets for the dinner were priced at $100,000 per couple.
Also present: Will Ferrell, Jon Feltheimer, Tony Goldwyn and Hewlett Packard CEO Meg Whitman, a longtime Republican who endorsed Clinton last month.
Earlier, at an event at the nearby home of Magic Johnson, with tickets starting at $2,700-per-person, she told the crowd that “friends don’t let friends vote for Trump.”
A source who was at the event, hosted by Johnson and his wife Cookie, also said that among the 550 attendees were Samuel L. Jackson, Kristin Davis, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and former California Gov. Gray Davis. Clinton also thanked Denzel Washington and his wife Pauletta, who were among the co-chairs.
Clinton attended the fundraising events after taping an appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live.”
The events are part of an aggressive round of fundraising before the fall campaign. Over the weekend, Clinton appeared with Cher in Provincetown, Mass., one of a series of events the singer has been hosting.
On Tuesday, Clinton will attend a $33,400-per-person event at the home of Justin Timberlake and Jessica Alba. Leonardo DiCaprio was to host at his home but he cancelled, in what was described as a scheduling conflict as he finishes work on a movie premiering at the Toronto Film Festival. Co-hosts of the lunch include Tobey and Jennifer Maguire, Jennifer Aniston, Scooter and Yael Braun, Shonda Rhimes, Chris Silbermann and Rick and Christina Yorn.
Proceeds from the fundraisers are being split between the Clinton campaign, the Democratic National Committee and state party committees.
Clinton is expected to make one or two return visits before the Nov. 8 election.
Related stories
Hillary Clinton Tells Jimmy Kimmel Health Rumors Are 'Wacky Strategy' Against Her
Justin Timberlake, Jessica Biel to Host Clinton Fundraiser in Place of Leonardo DiCaprio
Donald Trump Says He Regrets Some Comments He's Made
Get more from Variety and Variety411: Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Newsletter
