President Biden Joins Forces with Presidents Clinton and Obama for Record-Breaking Fundraising Event

President Biden Joins Forces with Presidents Clinton and Obama for Record-Breaking Fundraising Event

Thursday night witnessed a historic moment in American politics as President Biden united with former Presidents Clinton and Obama at Radio City Music Hall in New York City for “An Evening with President Biden and Presidents Obama and Clinton.” The event was hailed as the most successful political fundraising event in U.S. history, raising a staggering $26+ million.

More than 5,000 supporters filled the iconic theater for the sold-out occasion. Moderated by Stephen Colbert, the three presidents engaged in a discussion about the critical issues facing the nation in 2024.

President Clinton commended President Biden’s effectiveness in contrast to Donald Trump’s obstructionism, while President Obama highlighted the administration’s legislative successes, including healthcare reforms. President Biden also extended an invitation for a golf game to his predecessor, Donald Trump, provided Trump carries his own bag.

With a robust fundraising operation fueled by grassroots support, the event showcased the strength of a united coalition ready to support President Biden’s reelection bid. Notably, the funds raised at the event surpassed the entire February haul of the Trump campaign, underscoring Team Biden-Harris’s financial advantage as the 2024 election approaches.

During the event, President Obama spoke on President Biden’s record:

“Well, I think it’s worth adding — it’s not just the negative case against the presumptive nominee on the other side. It’s the positive case for somebody who’s done an outstanding job as president. Sometimes we forget where we started and where we are now. You’ve got record breaking job growth. You’ve got an unemployment rate that is as low as it has been — for African Americans, by the way, the lowest on record — ever. You’ve got extraordinary progress building off the work we did. First, Bill Clinton passing the Children’s Health Insurance Act, we passed the Affordable Care Act, Joe Biden takes the baton — he’s now expanded coverage. Made sure that seniors are seeing big discounts in their prescription drugs, capping insulin drug prices. Capping the price of insulin at 35 bucks when it used to cost them up to $400. You know, helping young people go to college. The record-setting investment in clean energy that’s going to transition us to the kind of future that our children and grandchildren deserve.”

President Clinton spoke on President Biden’s bipartisan record and Donald Trump killing the border deal:

“This is the big reason you should win. And that is that everything you said is true. But it only works if we all live under the same set of rules, if we all have an equal set of chances to make it, and we treat each other with respect. If we find our differences and we have our arguments…

That’s what’s at the heart of this. Joe Biden has bent over backwards to reach out to members of the other party to negotiate in good faith and to solve problems – including on the border. In the case of the border, his apparent opponent basically said, hey, to his own party, you can’t do that. Get off that bill. We need a problem not a solution at the border.”

President Clinton continued, on MAGA Republicans: “They’re good at branding and blaming, and we don’t like their solutions so much. He (President Biden) is good at finding solutions people are actually glad to embrace.”  

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Stephen A. Smith Or Barack Obama? ESPN Host Reveals If He Thinks He Could Beat The Former President In A One-On-One Basketball Game

Stephen A. Smith believes that he could beat President Barack Obama in a one-on-one basketball game, as long as he had prep time. “It depends. If we’re talking about Stephen A. right now, Barack Obama is going to smoke me because I got bad knees. But give me a week, and make sure my knees are healthy, and I would take him out. I’d beat him. I’d beat Barack Obama, say 21-7. It would be a romp. I love the President, I voted for him twice. I love the First Family and he can shoot but he doesn’t look like he’s accustomed to resistance. I’m gonna get his face, get on that left hand, not let him shoot. He’s gonna have to go low, take the ball to the hole,” Smith explained.

Of course, both Smith and Obama are avid basketball fans, although Smith backs the Knicks while Obama roots for his hometown Bulls. Furthermore, Obama was regularly seen shooting hoops at various events, as well as at the regulation-size court on the grounds of the White House. Meanwhile, Smith admitted in his answer that he only plays basketball “once every two or three years”. Who are you taking in a first-to-21 competition? Let us know in the comments.

Read More: Charles Barkley Says He’d Vote For Stephen A. Smith For President

Stephen A. Smith Goes Off On Hilarious Rant About Hot Dogs

Of course, the Q&A section on The Stephen A. Smith Show has quickly become a fan favorite, largely due to the sheer amount of weird questions Smith is willing to answer. Last week, the ESPN host was asked what he was putting on a standard hot dog if he wasn’t allowed to put mayonnaise on it. “That’s easy – ketchup and mustard. What’s wrong with that? Ketchup and mustard. Very very simple to me. It’s ketchup and mustard. Why wouldn’t I put ketchup and mustard on this? I’m tryna figure out why the hell mayo would be on this. Now that’s just nasty. I think the only thing nastier than this is the person I saw literally eating a spoon of mayonnaise. Now that’s disgusting,” Smith said.

Ketchup and mustard are of course the safe choice for hot dog toppings outside of regional variants. However, a 2021 survey from the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council found that 19% of Americans put mayo on their hot dogs. What’s your go-to hot dog configuration? Let us know in the comments.

Read More: Mad Dog’s “Hardest Sports To Play” Rant Puts Stephen A. Smith On The Floor: Watch

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Lil Nas X Got Barack Obama, Taylor Swift, And Kanye West (Impersonators, That Is) For His ‘J Christ’ Video, A New Teaser Shows

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Lil Nas X has been active in the lead-up to his new single “J Christ,” whether he’s maybe (but maybe not) enrolling in a Biblical studies program, showing off some genuine gospel music, or re-creating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. His “J Christ” video is set to drop this Friday, but ahead of then, he has again indulged in attention-grabbing antics with a new video teaser.

The 20-second video shows a long line of people in white robes, walking through a field, which looks like the iconic Windows XP wallpaper, and up a literal stairway to Heaven. In that line are a bunch of celebrity impersonators, of Taylor Swift, Kanye West, Mariah Carey, and Barack Obama, as well as a couple who aren’t quite as perfect a visual match but who appear to represent Ed Sheeran and Oprah Winfrey.

Ever since he first burst onto the scene with “Old Town Road,” Nas has proven that he’s a viral marketing master, and this whole “J Christ” rollout is just another shining example of that.

In response to backlash over his crucifixion image, Nas wrote, “the crazy thing is nowhere in the picture is a mockery of jesus. Jesus’s image is used throughout history in people’s art all over the world. I’m not making fun of sh*t. yall just gotta stop trying to gatekeep a religion that was here before any of us were even born. stfu.”

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Barack Obama Reveals His Favorite Songs Of 2023

At this point, everybody knows that former president Barack Obama is a big music fan. He’s been sharing a summer playlist every year for quite a while now and they often have quite an interesting blend of tastes. This year’s summer playlist featured plenty of hip-hop representation. J Hus and Drake’s “Who Told You,” Ice Spice and Nicki Minaj’s “Princess Diana,” and Dr. Dre and 2pac’s “California Love” headline the rap songs included. 21 Savage, Babyface Ray, and Nas also appear on songs from the playlist. That’s in addition to mega-stars from other genres like SZA, Luke Combs, Peso Pluma, Janelle Monae, Burna Boy, and many more.

Now, Barack Obama has shared yet another playlist, this time revealing some of his favorite music of the entire year. Songs from Burna Boy, 21 Savage, and Peso Pluma that appeared on the summer playlist are once again included here. It also features Megan Thee Stallion’s newest single “Cobra.” The former president has also been listening to Beyonce and Kendrick Lamar’s high-profile team up on the “AMERICA HAS A PROBLEM” remix. As usual the full list includes a variety of other tracks from different genres. Check out the full selection of hits below.

Read More: Man Tried To Blow Up Barack Obama’s House & Was Arrested, Had Jan. 6 Warrants

Barack Obama’s Favorite Songs Of 2023

Elsewhere on Obama’s list are some of the biggest songs of the year. It includes Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves “I Remember Everything” one of the biggest country songs of the year which debuted at number one on the Hot 100. It also features Karol G and Shakira’s high-profile Latin trap crossover “TQG.” There’s also a number of breakthrough hit songs from new artists like Tyla’s “Water,” Victoria Monet’s “On My Mama,” and Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control.”

In years past, many fans have wondered whether Obama actually listens to the music on his playlists or not. Because of the variety of styles include, many are skeptical about whether Obama himself actually assembles the playlists. What do you think of Barack Obama’s selections for his favorite songs of 2023? Let us know which of his choices is your favorite in the comment section below.

Read More: Barack Obama Addresses “Complexity” Of Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

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Barack Obama’s Favorite Songs Of 2023 List Includes Beyoncé, Megan Thee Stallion, And Mitski

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2023 is almost over, but Barack Obama got in his favorite songs of the year list just under the wire (he revealed his movies list earlier in the week). “Here are some of my favorite songs from this year. Let me know if there are any artists or songs I should check out,” he wrote on X. Obama’s picks include “American Has A Problem” Beyoncé ft. Kendrick Lamar, “My Love Is All Mine” by Mitski (looks like someone’s been on TikTok), “Cast Iron Skillet” by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, and “Cobra” by Megan Thee Stallion.

Here’s the full list:

“TQG” by Karol G & Shakira
“I Remember Everything” by Zach Bryan Feat. Kacey Musgraves
“Sprinter” by Dave & Central Cee
“Since I Have A Lover” by 6LACK
“Cobra” by Megan Thee Stallion
“Joiner” by Blondshell
“Midnight Gospel” by Alé Araya Feat. Joseph Chilliams
“America Has A Problem” by Beyoncé Feat. Kendrick Lamar
“Water” by Tyla
“The Returner” by Allison Russell
“Unavailable” by Davido Feat. Musa Keys
“My Love Is All Mine” by Mitski
“Sittin’ On Top Of The World” by Burna Boy Feat. 21 Savage
“Vampire Empire” by Big Thief
Younger & Dumber” by Indigo De Souza
“Toxic Trait” by Stormzy Feat. Fredo
“Where You Are” by John Summit & Hayla
“La Bebe (Remix)” by Yng Lvcas & Peso Pluma
“On My Mama” by Victoria Monét
“Cast Iron Skillet” by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
“WY@” Brent Faiyaz
“Amapiano” by Asake & Olamide
“Lose Control” by Teddy Swims
“Crazy Love” by Rita Wilson & Keith Urban
“Drink The River” by Gabe Lee
“Road To Freedom” by Lenny Kravitz
“It Never Went Away” by Jon Batiste
“Me & U” by Tems

Earlier this year, Obama was asked by comedian Hasan Minhaj whether he takes any shortcuts with his year-end lists. “People, they believe the books and the movies, but the playlists, they somehow think — and this is mostly coming from young people like you,” the former president explained. “Somehow, y’all think you invented rock and roll. You invented hip-hop. And so the fact that my lists are pretty incredible, people seem to think, ‘Well, he must’ve had some 20-year-old intern who was figuring out this latest cut.’ No, man. It’s on my iPad right now!”

I’m not calling Obama a liar, but what 62-year-old dad doesn’t put a single Rolling Stones song on their list? Just saying.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Barack Obama Lists ‘Leave the World Behind’ & More as Top Films of 2023

President Barack Obama Named Strategic Partner of NBA Africa

Barack Obama is known for delivering his favorite tunes every year, but now he is giving a peak into his watch list. The 44th president of the United States of America has revealed his favorite films of 2023.

“Earlier this year, writers and actors went on strike to advocate for better working conditions and protections,” Obama wrote. “It led to important changes that will transform the industry for the better.

“Here are some films that reflect their hard work over the last year — including some like Rustin, American Symphony, and Leave the World Behind that we were proud to release through @HGMedia”

His production, Leave the World Behind, leads the way on his list. He also put Rustin and American Symphony in his top three.

Oppenheimer, American Fiction, Air, The Holdovers, and more are additional films included.

You can see the full list below.

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Barack Obama Net Worth 2023: What Is The Former POTUS Worth?

As of 2023, Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States, has an estimated net worth of approximately $70 million, a figure that reflects a remarkable journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of the most influential figures in the world. This estimation, according to Celebrity Net Worth, showcases the multifaceted ways in which Obama has accumulated his wealth.

Before his presidency, Barack Obama’s financial situation was much like that of any average American. His early career as a community organizer, civil rights attorney, and professor did not hint at the financial prosperity that would follow. His political ascent began in the Illinois State Senate, followed by his election to the U.S. Senate in 2004. These roles, while prestigious, were not particularly lucrative, but they set the stage for his historic presidential win in 2008.

Presidential Earnings & Beyond

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UNSPECIFIED : Barack Obama as student at Harvard university, c. 1992 (Photo by Apic/Getty Images)

As President, Obama earned a salary of $400,000 yearly, a standard stipend for U.S. Presidents. However, the presidency often leads to numerous financial opportunities post-office, and Obama was no exception. His post-presidential life has been marked by lucrative book deals, high-profile speaking engagements, and other ventures that have significantly boosted his net worth.

A significant portion of Obama’s wealth comes from his successful books. His memoirs, The Audacity of Hope and Dreams from My Father, were bestsellers, earning him millions in royalties. His post-presidential memoir, A Promised Land, secured him a reported $65 million advance alongside his wife, Michelle Obama, for their respective books, a deal made with Penguin Random House.

High-Profile Speaking Engagements

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U.S. President Barack Obama stands on stage with rapper Jay-Z and musician Bruce Springsteen at an election campaign rally in Columbus, Ohio (Photo by Brooks Kraft LLC/Corbis via Getty Images)

Another source of income for the former president is his speaking engagements. Commanding hefty fees, Obama speaks on various topics, ranging from leadership to climate change, at events worldwide. These engagements are a testament to his enduring popularity and influence, even after his presidency.

Obama’s foray into media production has also been a lucrative venture. His production company, Higher Ground Productions, signed a deal with Netflix to produce documentaries, feature films, and series. This deal adds to his net worth and allows him to continue influencing public discourse.

Philanthropy & Social Impact

barack obama
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 21: U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama dance together during the Comander-in-Chief’s Inaugural Ball at the Walter Washington Convention Center January 21, 2013 in Washington, DC. Obama was sworn-in for his second term of office earlier in the day. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Despite his wealth, Obama remains committed to philanthropic efforts. He and Michelle Obama have been involved in various charitable activities, including establishing the Obama Foundation. This foundation works towards global leadership and civic engagement, reflecting Obama’s ongoing commitment to social change.

Barack Obama’s journey from a young community organizer to a former President with a net worth of $70 million is a story of ambition, talent, and hard work. His financial success is a combination of his presidential salary, lucrative book deals, speaking engagements, and media ventures. As he continues to shape his post-presidential career, Barack Obama remains a prominent figure in global politics and culture, with his net worth being a testament to his wide-ranging influence and enduring legacy.

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Rick Ross Recalled A Terrifying Moment When His Ankle Monitor Went Off In Front Of Obama

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Rick Ross has had quite a career. Two decades in, and he’s made quite a few memories. During a special episode of Complex’s 360 With Speedy, Rozay recalled some of his most vivid memories, including a 2016 visit to the White House.

At the time of the visit, Ross was on house arrest and was wearing an ankle monitor, and the monitor happened to go off while Ross was in the White House. When the alarm chimed, then-President Barack Obama, along with the White House staff, were startled.

“The Secret Service started moving because everybody gave away they phones — all electronics had to be given up,” Ross said. “So when something started making a noise, you saw all the people in the back and I’m like, ‘Damn.’ And then it finally went off and then Obama had to say something. I ain’t gonna repeat it out of respect for Obama though.”

The interview took place shortly before Meek Mill and Ross’ long-awaited joint album, Too Good To Be True, which drops this week.

You can catch Ross recalling the memory in the clip above, slightly past the 17-minute mark.

Too Good To Be True is out 11/10 via MMG. Find more information here.

Rick Ross Remembers The Time His Ankle Monitor Went Off In Front Of Barack Obama

Renowned rapper Rick Ross found himself in an unforgettable predicament when his ankle monitor unexpectedly went off in the presence of former President Barack Obama. In a recent interview with Complex, Rick Ross confirmed the incident, providing a glimpse into this extraordinary encounter. The interviewer asked if it was true if the incident happened, to which Rick responded it was. “I did,” admitted Rick Ross with a nonchalant demeanor, acknowledging the moment when his ankle monitor disrupted the presence of one of the most influential figures in American history. Meek Mill, who was also present during the interview, recounted the aftermath of this extraordinary encounter. The two were laughing about it because Ross was clearly embarrassed about it.

Ross had the unique privilege of meeting President Obama in 2016, a meeting that demanded the surrender of all electronic devices. The room where this historic meeting took place was not your average setting; it was filled with several hip-hop icons, making it a truly iconic moment. At the time, Rick Ross was on house arrest. He remembered the moment it happened, and proceeded to slouch down on the couch as he retold how he felt in the moment. “The Secret Service started moving because everybody gave away they phones—all electronics had to be given up,” Ross said. “So when something started making a noise, you saw all the people in the back and I’m like, ‘Damn.’ And then it finally went off and then Obama had to say something. I ain’t gonna repeat it out of respect for Obama though.”

Read More: Rick Ross Hints At An MMG Reunion On Upcoming Project With Meek Mill

Rick Ross Was Embarrassed

It’s a funny story, for sure. Fans reacted to hearing this story as well as the overall interview on social media. “Am sorry but I don’t know why am laughing [crying laughing face emoji,” one person wrote. “Meek and Ross are the funniest combo man, its good seeing them in this light,” another person said. “Funniest thing I seen was Ross speaking on prison reform,” someone else commented.

Rick Ross has been speaking out on all kinds of things lately. Moreover, he spoke with Rolling Stone the other day to share his thoughts on Jada Pinkett Smith. “To me, she’s psychologically lost and needs some counseling,” Rick Ross said of the actress. “Jesus! What are you going to tell us next? When you tell us you haven’t been together in six years, you haven’t had sex in this many years, you don’t have a prenuptial agreement — OK, what’s next?” It’s clear Ross is not holding back in any of these interviews.

Read More: Rick Ross Shares Thoughts On Jada Pinkett Smith And Her Memior: “Come On Jada, Chill Out Baby”

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Barack Obama Addresses “Complexity” Of Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Barack Obama has spoken out about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for the first time since the Israeli military’s latest offensive against Hamas in Gaza City. While appearing on the podcast Pod Save America, the former President of the United States focused on the “complexity” of the situation.

“If there’s any chance of us being able to act constructively to do something, it will require an admission of complexity and maintaining what on the surface may seem contradictory ideas that what Hamas did was horrific, and there’s no justification for it. And … that the occupation and what’s happening to Palestinians is unbearable,” Obama said.

Read More: Drake Breaks Silence On Israel-Palestine Conflict, Signs Letter Calling For Ceasefire

Barack Obama Speaks At The Obama Foundation Democracy Forum

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – NOVEMBER 03: Former President Barack. Obama speaks to attendees at the Obama Foundation Democracy Forum on November 03, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. Obama spoke about economic inclusion is fundamental to safeguarding and expanding democracies in countries around the world. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

From there, Obama spoke about the discourse he’s seen on social media, specifically TikTok. “If you want to solve the problem, then you have to take in the whole truth, and you then have to admit nobody’s hands are clean – that all of us are complicit to some degree,” he said. Obama added that he’d rather see people “out there talking to people,” than online. He further continued: “Including people who you disagree with. If you genuinely want to change this … you’ve got to figure out how to speak to somebody on the other side and listen to them and understand what they are talking about and not dismiss it.”

Barack Obama Discusses The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Obama is one of several influential figures who have spoken out about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in recent weeks. After being criticized for his silence on the matter, Drake signed a letter penned to President Joe Biden calling for a ceasefire in the war. Be on the lookout for further updates on the conflict on HotNewHipHop.

Read More: Drake’s Dad Defends Rapper’s Silence On Israel-Palestine

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