EXCLUSIVE: President Joe Biden‘s return to the Hollywood fundraiser circuit also includes a familiar name: Covid 19.
Haim Saban and Casey Wasserman each tested positive for Covid ahead of tonight’s event, forcing them to miss the event, multiple sources told Deadline. The White House still has strict testing protocols in place for anyone who comes in close contact with the president.
It was already known to the campaign earlier today that Saban had tested positive and would miss event. Taking a test himself, co-host Wasserman tested positive in the last few hours. The president has not yet arrived at the fundraiser.
Both Saban and Wasserman were scheduled to give remarks. A well-known support of Israel, Saban was to talk about the situation in the Middle East. Each had planned to speak about their gratitude of Biden’s support for Israel in its war with Hamas.
Participants in the deep-pocketed event are all being tested before the president’s arrival at the Saban residence, which is expected soon. Other luminaries at the event include Jane Fonda, ITV America boss Adam Sher, and Jeffrey Katzenberg. Katzenberg is serving as campaign co-chair.
Coming straight from DC, Biden arrived in Los Angeles at around 3:30 p.m. PT, then was scheduled to attend a VIP reception before delivering the remarks at the event. Tickets started at $3,300 per person and rose to $250,000 for the co-chair level.
Among those also signed on to the event are John Emerson, former U.S. ambassador to Germany, and his wife Kimberly Marteau Emerson; attorney Cliff Gilbert-Lurie and Leslie Gilbert Lurie; developer Thomas Safran; Bob Daley and Carol Bayer Sager; Eric Baker, co-founder of StubHub and co-founder of Viagogo, and Dr. Nicole Baker; Martha Leon De La Barra, global vice president of construction NeueHouse at CultureWorks Group, and Matt Crowley; attorney Carol Hamilton and David Khon; attorney Alicia Minana; California Democracy Fund founder Nicole Mutchnik; and Howard and Stephanie Sherwood.
Saban, a longtime top Democratic donor, also has been among the most prominent voices in the party advocating for strong support of Israel. Other hosts also have been involved with the Anti-Defamation League and other organizations combating antisemitism and hate.
The president is set to give a speech in Culver City on Wednesday before heading up to San Francisco for more fundraisers.
