President Biden arrived at JFK Airport Thursday for a $25 million fundraiser with former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton — but had yet to publicly address the Monday killing of NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller, whose Long Island wake was set to be attended by former President Donald Trump.
Biden’s star-studded visit to Radio City Music Hall is expected to set a record haul for a single event as the incumbent builds a substantial cash advantage over Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee.
Biden, accompanied by Obama, landed shortly after noon about six miles away from where Diller was gunned down in Far Rockaway.
Trump’s scheduled appearance at the wake in Massapequa, about half an hour away from the airport, sets up an awkward split-screen for Biden as he convenes the long-planned fundraiser.
Shortly before Air Force One touched town, 34-year-old ex-con Guy Rivera was charged with first-degree murder in Diller’s death.
The suspect has 21 prior arrests and was on parole until last year after serving a five-year prison stint on a drug conviction.
Mayor Eric Adams, a former NYPD officer, also is expected to attend Diller’s wake.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Air Force One that Biden spoke with Adams by phone to express his condolences for Diller’s death, but she did not say if the president called the officer’s family.
“Our hearts go out, obviously, to the officer’s family and the broader NYPD family who have tragically lost one of their own. The president grieves for them and honors their sacrifice,” said Jean-Pierre, who herself was raised in Queens.
In Manhattan Thursday evening, CBS “Late Show” host Stephen Colbert will host a discussion with the three Democratic presidents before some of the nation’s richest citizens, the most generous of whom are having their photos snapped with the trio by Annie Leibovitz.
The Biden campaign hailed the event as “the most successful political fundraiser in American history” in a press release.
“More than 5,000 supporters — a sold-out crowd — will be in attendance at tonight’s fundraiser, and thousands more will be watching online,” it said.
Comedian Mindy Kaling will host a portion of the fundraiser, which will feature musical acts by Queen Latifah, Lizzo, Ben Platt, Cynthia Erivo and Lea Michele.
Trump has sought to flip the script on the fundraiser, writing in an emailed fundraising appeal: “Remember, my campaign isn’t powered by the Hollywood ‘elite’ writing 6-figure checks – IT’S POWERED BY YOU!”
The 45th president commented on Diller’s murder Tuesday on the Truth Social platform.
“To Officer Diller’s family, and all of the other brave men and women of law enforcement who put your lives on the line every day, we love you, we appreciate you, and we will always stand with you!” Trump posted.
“The ‘thug’ in question has 21 prior arrests and just recently got out of prison – he NEVER should have been let back out on the streets.”
Biden, 81, has built a large financial advantage over Trump, 77, despite polls showing Trump ahead among voters nationally and in several key swing states.
Trump is facing four criminal cases — with his first trial set to begin April 15 in New York under a novel business records falsification theory brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, an elected Democrat.
