The Bidens will spend the weekend in Southern California in a whirlwind of fundraisers and official events. Expect traffic delays.
This weekend, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden are scheduled to spend time in Southern California, marking a series of star-studded fundraisers and official events. As a consequence, residents in the Southland region are advised to brace for potential road closures and traffic disruptions. While the specific details of the president’s travel plans and fundraising activities are deliberately kept vague for security reasons, it is anticipated that President Biden will arrive on Friday and extend his stay through the weekend. Presidential motorcades typically result in temporary closures of significant freeway segments, potentially affecting portions of the Santa Monica (10) and San Diego (405) freeways.
On Friday afternoon, First Lady Jill Biden is set to arrive at Hollywood Burbank Airport. Her itinerary includes a visit to the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Smidt Heart Institute and the Barbra Streisand Women’s Heart Center, focusing on women’s health research and advocacy. Subsequently, she will join the president at a series of high-profile fundraisers featuring notable celebrities like Steven Spielberg, Shonda Rhimes, Peter Chernin, Jim Gianopulos, and Rob Reiner. Attendees are expected to include former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, designer Michael Smith, and former U.S. ambassador to Spain James Costos, with a special performance by Lenny Kravitz.
Prominent figures such as Wendy Schmidt, Rick Caruso, and former ambassador Robert Tuttle are also reported to be among the attendees. Ticket prices for the event start at $1,000, with tiers ranging up to $3,300 and reaching as high as $500,000. Contributors pledging $25,000 or more will gain access to a photo line opportunity. The fundraising efforts are anticipated to yield over $15 million during the course of several events, according to reports from Reuters.
Additionally, Jeffrey Katzenberg, the co-founder of DreamWorks, is reported to host a separate fundraising gathering for President Biden during his visit, as per information from the Associated Press. As the presidential visit unfolds, residents are advised to remain informed about potential disruptions and road closures in the areas affected by the events.