Current:Home > MarketsJeff Bridges, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, more stars join 'White Dudes for Harris' Zoom -Streamline Finance
Jeff Bridges, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, more stars join 'White Dudes for Harris' Zoom
View
Date:2025-04-18 11:53:06
Hollywood's "white dudes" are rallying around Kamala Harris.
Jeff Bridges, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Mark Hamill were among the stars who participated in a Zoom call Monday to raise money for Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential campaign, which was dubbed "White Dudes for Harris" and streamed on YouTube. Numerous politicians, including Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, also took part.
Early in the call, Bridges said he's "excited" about Harris' campaign and that President Joe Biden had "beautifully" passed the baton to her by dropping out of the race.
"I can see her being president," Bridges said. "I'm so excited. A woman president, man. How exciting! And her championing of women's rights, I'm for that."
White Dudes for Harrisraises $4 million: 'The vibes right now are incredible'
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
The actor, who famously played The Dude in "The Big Lebowski," also joked he was brought to the "White Dudes for Harris" call "not so much (for) being white, and I certainly am, but because I'm a dude," adding, "I'm white, I'm a dude, and I'm for Harris."
Josh Groban spoke after Buttigieg, with the Grammy-nominated singer saying that "as a white guy," when "the world has been built for you," it can be "so much easier" not to be politically outspoken.
"It's easy to assume somebody else will step up," but "I am proud to raise my hand and to say that this is something that I believe so fully in," Groban said. "I'm so excited by the galvanizing of the Harris campaign."
Later, Joseph Gordon-Levitt slammed former President Donald Trump on the call as a "con man" who will not "look out for middle class, working class, ordinary American people," which is why "we need a president who can prosecute con men like this."
"The Lord of the Rings" star Sean Astin said he is excited to elect a "qualified, tested, proven woman into the presidency, so that all girls for all time can know that that's possible."
Hamill, meanwhile, praised the Biden administration as "the most legislatively successful administration since Franklin Delano Roosevelt" and urged voters to "stand up to (Trump's) mental illness."
Celebritiesback Kamala Harris for president after Joe Biden drops reelection bid
"The West Wing" star Bradley Whitford told participants that he has been active in campaigns in Wisconsin his entire life and has "never felt this kind of enthusiasm ever," but he also urged Harris supporters not to be complacent. "This is so far from a sure thing," he said. "We have to seize this moment."
"Frozen" star Josh Gad recalled that he "stood over my kids' bed and I wept" on the night of the 2016 election because he "felt like I let them down" after America did not elect its first female president. "That feeling of dread, and that feeling of fear, and that feeling of shame is not something I'm ever willing or able to allow myself to feel again," he said.
Comedian Paul Scheer also said that Harris is "the type of president America needs," while "House of Cards" star Michael Kelly said it's "so easy to get behind" Harris, and singer Lance Bass said he is feeling "so hopeful" about the vice president's campaign. "As a white guy, it's easy to think these issues don't affect us directly, but that's exactly why we need to pay attention," Bass said.
Supporters were urged to donate throughout the over three-hour call, and by the time it ended, organizers said more than $4 million had been raised.
As the call began, organizer Ross Morales Rocketto acknowledged that many were "uncomfortable" with the "White Dudes for Harris" idea because "throughout American history, when white men have organized, it was often with pointy hats on." But he said that "the reason that we are doing this is because the left has been ceding white men to the MAGA right for way, way too long."
The fundraising call came after many Hollywood stars expressed support for Harris following Biden's exit from the race. George Clooney, who had urged Biden to drop out, said in a statement to CNN, "President Biden has shown what true leadership is. He's saving democracy once again. We're all so excited to do whatever we can to support Harris in her historic quest."
veryGood! (19)
Related
- The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
- Man's body with barbell attached to leg found in waters off popular Greek beach
- Anchorage police involved in 2 shootings that leave one dead and another injured
- The 50 Best Fashion Deals for Father's Day 2024: Men's Wearhouse, The North Face, Callaway, REI & More
- DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
- A shot in the arm that can help fight cancer? How vaccine trials are showing promise.
- AT&T resolves service issue reported across US
- Kim, Bashaw win New Jersey primaries for Senate seat held by embattled Menendez
- Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery
- Hunter Biden’s ex-wife, other family members expected to take the stand in his federal gun trial
Ranking
- Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
- Family of Minnesota man killed by police criticize local officials and seek federal intervention
- Tech news site Gizmodo sold for third time in 8 years as European publisher Keleops looks to expand
- Erich Anderson, 'Friday the 13th' and 'Felicity' actor, dies after cancer battle
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- Interpol and FBI break up a cyber scheme in Moldova to get asylum for wanted criminals
- How ‘Eruption,’ the new Michael Crichton novel completed with James Patterson’s help, was created
- No sets? Few props? No problem, says Bebe Neuwirth on ‘deconstructed’ ‘Cabaret’ revival
Recommendation
Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
How ‘Eruption,’ the new Michael Crichton novel completed with James Patterson’s help, was created
Missouri Supreme Court says governor had the right to dissolve inquiry board in death row case
Review: The Force is not with new 'Star Wars' series 'The Acolyte'
Dick Vitale announces he is cancer free: 'Santa Claus came early'
Walmart settlement deadline approaches: How to join $45 million weighted-grocery lawsuit
No sets? Few props? No problem, says Bebe Neuwirth on ‘deconstructed’ ‘Cabaret’ revival
New York considers regulating what children see in social media feeds