Hillary Clinton told Hollywood’s elite tonight that she never “knows what Donald Trump will show up” to their Presidential debates, noting there is a final face-off coming on October 19. Surrounded by her biggest donors on Thursday in what is likely her last official visit to the Hollywood ATM before Election Day, the former Secretary of State was being feted at the Beverly Hills home of 2024 Olympics bid chair Casey Wasserman and wife Laura in what was a love-in masquerading as a fundraiser.
With Sir Elton John set to hit the ebony and ivories and repeat his Radio City Music Hall performance for the ex-NY Senator of earlier this year, Clinton said Thursday that “I worked out a deal with Elton, he will give a political speech and I will sing.” As intended, the remark got great laughter from the well-heeled audience. Playing ‘Tiny Dancer’ and other hits, the British superstar did venture into the political arena when he told the assembled that “we need a humanitarian not a barbarian,” in a direct reference to Clinton over Trump for the Oval Office.
Introducing Clinton before she spoke to the crowd of long-term supporters, Wasserman told the gathering how in August 1992 a certain Democratic nominee also with the name Clinton came out to L.A. On that visit, Casey’s legendary powerbroker grandfather held his second fundraiser for the then Arkansas Governor on the very same property where they are holding tonight’s event. “I certainly hope it brings Secretary Clinton the same luck it brought Bill,” Wasserman said of the gathering, comparing it the one 24-years ago that the then MCA boss hosted. Wasserman also took a swipe at Trump, saying the ex-Apprentice host “has no idea how a great nation works.”
Long time Clinton fan Barbra Streisand was at the Wassermans’ this evening along with L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti, Leftovers EP Damon Lindelof and his wife Heidi, plus Clinton’s closest aide Huma Abedin.
Also in attendance Thursday at the $33,400 to $100,000 a ticket Hillary Victory Fund event were Haim Saban and spouse Cheryl, who are TeamHRC’s top check writers with more than $10 million given to pro-Clinton Super PACs and the campaign itself this election cycle. The Sabans hosted Clinton in their house for a fundraiser on August 22 with the Wassermans and Disney boss Bob Iger among the co-hosts that pricey summer night. Tonight the Sabans were co-hosts along Hillary’s second largest donors, Jeffrey Katzenberg and wife Marilyn.
The evening began around 6:30 PM with a series of more intimate roundtables and one-on-ones at the Wasserman’s with around 20 top tier paying co-hosts and other big spenders. Other co-hosts for the fundraiser include Legendary founder Thomas Tull and wife Alba, Facebook backer Sean Parker and wife Alexandra, Chris and Crystal Sacca – all of whom have dug into their accounts on several occasions for Clinton this election, giving over not just their cash but also their homes to the ex-FLOTUS for appeals for cash.
Like Vice-President Joe Biden, who is passing the hat around for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee at Peter Chernin’s pad right now too, Clinton is staying overnight in L.A. Unlike the man who many thought might be her rival for the Democratic nomination, Clinton is staying in town to film another appearance on Ellen DeGeneres’ daytime talker on Friday.
The sit-down with Ellen will be Clinton’s first interview since facing off against the increasingly even more reckless Trump in the second Presidential debate on October 9.
While tonight is being billed as HRC’s “final Los Angeles dinner” before America decides who will be the 45th POTUS, another Clinton is coming to town soon. Former and perhaps once again First Daughter Chelsea Clinton is the headliner at a $250 to $10,000 a ticket October 20 fundraiser that Showtime boss David Nevins and wife Andrea are hosting at their home with “special guest” Kristen Bell.
No word yet if Bill Clinton will be performing his Surrogate-in-Chief duty again in L.A. before November 8 – but never count Bubba out when it comes to a good time in Hollywood. Of course if Hillary Clinton wins the White House next month we can expect to see a lot of her, Bill and new VP Tim Kaine, already a fav of the town, over the next four years building up a new war chest for 2020.
