Jeffrey Katzenberg, media mogul and prominent Democratic Party supporter, has publicly praised President Joe Biden for his selflessness in choosing to end his re-election campaign, marking Katzenberg’s first remarks since Biden’s surprising announcement.
In a heartfelt op-ed published in The New York Times on Wednesday, Katzenberg reflected on his four-decade friendship with Biden, emphasizing the president’s resilience in the face of profound personal tragedy—the loss of his wife, daughter, and son. Katzenberg described Biden’s ability to channel his grief into a source of strength, enabling him to connect deeply with others and offer solace through empathy and unwavering optimism.
As co-chair of the Biden-Harris campaign, Katzenberg acknowledged the challenges Biden faced, including public scrutiny over his mental acuity and age. He highlighted Biden’s unwavering commitment to the nation’s welfare over personal ambition, noting that the president’s sole focus was preventing Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Katzenberg praised Biden’s decision to relinquish his candidacy, a move driven purely by his dedication to the country’s best interests.
Expressing mixed emotions, Katzenberg described Biden’s decision as both bittersweet and characteristic of the president’s forward-thinking approach, which now shifts to supporting Vice President Kamala Harris. He endorsed Harris as a proven leader, citing her extensive career achievements as a prosecutor, attorney general, senator, and vice president.
The op-ed follows a period of Hollywood scrutiny and criticism directed at Katzenberg after Biden’s challenging performance in his first presidential debate, which reportedly contributed to mounting pressure on the president to step aside.
