Exclusive: President Joe Biden’s return to the Hollywood fundraising circuit also involves a familiar name: Covid-19.
Multiple sources told Deadline that both Haim Saban and Casey Wasserman tested positive for Covid before tonight’s event, forcing them to miss the event. The White House still has strict testing protocols in place for anyone in close contact with the president.
It was already known to the campaign earlier today that Saban had tested positive and would miss the event. After getting tested himself, co-host Wasserman tested positive in the last few hours. The president has not yet arrived at the fundraising event.
Both Saban and Wasserman are scheduled to make statements. Saban was known for his support of Israel, and would speak about the situation in the Middle East. Each of them intended to speak of their gratitude for Biden’s support for Israel in its war with Hamas.
(LR) Haim Saban, Casey Wasserman
Getty Images
All participants in the event are being tested before the president’s arrival at Saban’s residence, expected soon. Other notables at the event included Jane Fonda, ITV America president Adam Scheer and Jeffrey Katzenberg. Katzenberg serves as co-chair of the campaign.
Arriving directly from D.C., Biden arrived in Los Angeles around 3:30 p.m. PT, then was scheduled to attend a VIP reception before speaking at the event. Tickets started at $3,300 per person and rose to $250,000 for the co-chair level.
Also participating in the event are John Emerson, former US Ambassador to Germany, and his wife, Kimberly Marto Emerson; Attorneys Cliff Gilbert Lowry and Leslie Gilbert Lowry; Developer Thomas Safran; Bob Daly and Carol Bayer Sager. Eric Becker, co-founder of StubHub and co-founder of Viagogo, and Dr. Nicole Becker; Martha Leon de la Parra, Global Vice President of Construction, NeueHouse, CultureWorks Group, and Matt Crowley; Attorneys Carol Hamilton and David Khun; Attorney Alicia Minana; California Democracy Fund founder Nicole Muchnick; Howard and Stephanie Sherwood.
Saban, a longtime major Democratic donor, has been among the party’s most prominent voices calling for strong support for Israel. Other hosts from the Anti-Defamation League and other organizations combating anti-Semitism and hate also participated.
The president is scheduled to speak in Culver City on Wednesday before heading to San Francisco for more fundraising.