What happened
Texas Democrat U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico is set to attend a high-dollar fundraiser in New York City, with tickets costing $27,000. The event will be hosted by actor Robert De Niro and other prominent Democrat donors, and will feature Wall Street financiers, Hollywood figures, and a jewelry designer who has publicly criticized the United States.
The jewelry designer, Alexis Bittar, has called America a “sh*thole” and has produced a documentary about the American flag, suggesting it has become a symbol of aggression. Bittar has also been a major financial bundler for several progressive Democrat candidates.
The fundraiser has raised questions about Talarico's campaign, which he has promoted as a “people powered” movement to “take back Texas.” However, according to reports, more than 55% of Talarico's campaign contributions have come from out-of-state donors, while approximately 44% have come from Texas.
The event is not the first time Talarico has fundraised with prominent Democrat donors and Hollywood figures. Earlier in the summer, he attended a fundraiser hosted by media executive Peter Chernin and his wife, Megan, and has also fundraised with Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D), the billionaire heir to the Hyatt hotel fortune.
