As some of the nation’s wealthiest Democratic supporters sipped wine and overlooked a $34 million view of Central Park in New York City, former Vice President Joe Biden thanked them for funding his rapidly expanding campaign war chest.
“Writing a check to allow me to compete. And you are putting me in a position to be able to compete nationally,” Biden said Monday night before adding that each donation “is essentially saying, ‘I respect this person. I think this person will do a good job.’”
Just beforehand, protesters gathered outside the Upper East Side home of investment billionaire Jim Chanos, chanting that America must “ban fracking now” while waving “Green New Deal” signs. That, however, didn’t seem to faze the nearly 180 Biden donors sprawled across Chanos’ three-story 7,800 sq. ft. large penthouse that also sports a 3,600 sq. ft. patio — or Chanos himself.
“It’s very, very rare that a short-seller gets called the ‘tool of big business,” he joked before introducing Biden.
Should Chanos host another ritzy soiree for his pal Biden, it might have to be held somewhere that doesn’t feature a private home movie theater or billiards room. After all, Chanos — whose hobbies including collecting fine art and weightlifting — is currently listing his New York home for sale through real estate firm Douglas Elliman at a cool $34,000,000.
“This world-class residence’s exceptional three-level layout and high-end custom interiors offer the very best of luxury townhouse living with all the benefits, security and amenities of a doorman building,” its sale page reads online.
Those in attendance to the $2,800-a-head fundraiser included individuals with a combined net-worth likely larger than millions of average American families, like fellow billionaire businessman John Catsimatidis.
“You all are going to do fine, and you deserve to do fine because you’ve broken your necks, and you’ve done well, and you’ve earned what you’ve got,” Biden said to the group.
Other members of the 0.01% included public relations guru Michael Kempner (estimated net worth well-into the nine-figures), business magnate and billionaire (and owner of a 150-foot-yacht) Dennis Mehiel, hotel developer (who had at least $72.5 million in the bank as of 2011) George Tsunis, millionaire financier Robert Wolf, and former Cushman & Wakefield CEO Bruce Mosler.
Monday’s fundraiser wasn’t the first — and won’t be the last — time Biden schmoozed with America’s financial elite since first announcing his candidacy in April. Right after he posted a video online announcing his third White House run, Biden immediately flew to Philadelphia for a fundraiser at the home of Comcast executive David L. Cohen.
Later this month, Biden will fly out to California for a fundraiser at the home of Leni and Marriner Eccles in the ritzy, seaside town of Belvedere, before being the guest of honor at the home of tech executive Katie Jacobs Stanton the following evening.
Before guests exited Chanos’ home on Monday, Biden boasted about how his fundraising circuit has netted him nearly $20 million in just two months.
“[My supporters have] allowed me to be able to compete in a way that I’ve never been able to before. We’ve raised a great deal of money.”
