Jeffrey Katzenberg is providing counsel to President Biden, advising him to embrace his age, drawing inspiration from prominent figures in Hollywood. Katzenberg, a movie mogul, suggests that if actors like Harrison Ford and Mick Jagger, both in their eighties, can continue their successful careers, then Biden should capitalize on his longevity as a symbol of wisdom and experience while maintaining a lighthearted approach to it.
In recent months, Katzenberg has emerged as a significant external adviser to Biden, offering a fresh perspective beyond the confines of Washington politics. His extensive business background, expertise in Hollywood storytelling, and extensive network within California’s entertainment and tech industries have brought valuable assets to the president’s inner circle, traditionally composed of Beltway insiders.
Renowned actor George Clooney attests to Katzenberg’s determination and anticipates being involved in the upcoming campaign at Jeffrey’s behest. Katzenberg’s ability to connect with influential donors and celebrity advocates is unquestionable. However, the more critical question is whether this entertainment mogul, at 72 years old and lacking hands-on campaign experience, can address President Biden’s underlying challenges, such as persistently low approval ratings and a lack of enthusiasm among younger and working-class voters.
Clooney believes that Democrats often struggle to effectively communicate their agenda and suggests that the campaign would benefit from Katzenberg’s insights on spreading their message, including addressing concerns about Biden’s age. The actor confirms discussing this topic with Katzenberg, highlighting Hollywood’s expertise in storytelling as an essential asset that political campaigns often overlook.
Known for his self-assured presence and driven personality, Katzenberg’s confidence extends to the 2024 election. He firmly believes that Donald Trump is likely to secure the Republican nomination, with Biden well-positioned to defeat him.
In late April, just before Biden’s re-election campaign launch, Katzenberg visited the White House to discuss his potential role as an adviser. The purpose was to infuse the campaign with an outlook outside the Washington establishment. The following day, Katzenberg was announced as one of the seven national co-chairs for Biden’s 2024 campaign, uniquely standing out as the sole member without an elected office.
Katzenberg’s responsibilities are still taking shape but are expected to encompass various areas. He will play a significant role in fundraising, aiming to secure up to $2 billion in donations. Additionally, he will leverage his connections to engage top experts in technology, social media, and messaging strategies to benefit the campaign.
Although Katzenberg’s recent venture into social media-based entertainment with Quibi ended in failure, his subsequent reinvention as a technology startup investor positions him as an esteemed figure offering guidance to entrepreneurs. Furthermore, his enduring status in Hollywood enables him to maintain a regular schedule of meetings with industry insiders, positioning him as an informal adviser to studio executives.
Katzenberg has been a longstanding donor to the Democratic Party and has maintained a close relationship with Biden since the 1980s. Their bond grew stronger during Biden’s tenure as vice president under President Barack Obama. Despite initial disagreements with some Democrats who supported Hillary Clinton, Katzenberg became a prominent fundraiser for Obama in 2012, organizing a highly successful event at George Clooney’s residence that raised $15 million.
Katzenberg threw his support behind Clinton’s 2016 campaign, even before Biden had made his decision about running. However, following Trump’s election, Katzenberg saw Biden as a strong counterweight to the former president and actively encouraged him to seek a second term. Since Biden’s election victory, Katzenberg has maintained close ties with the president, frequently engaging with his senior team and providing guidance on various matters.
