Director Steven Spielberg’s next endeavor isn’t a new sci-fi film, it’s the Democratic National Convention.
Numerous sources have confirmed that the “Avatar” filmmaker is playing a key role behind the scenes of President Joe Biden’s campaign for reelection, with a special focus on orchestrating the upcoming Democratic National Convention.
According to an initial report by Puck News’ Matt Belloni, Spielberg is “quietly but actively working with the Joe Biden campaign to help choreograph August’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago.”
The outlet said that the Academy Award winning filmmaker has been “participating in multiple strategy sessions on how to best tell the president’s story.”
Scoop via @MattBelloni: Steven Spielberg “has been quietly but actively working with the Joe Biden campaign to help choreograph August’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago. … participating in multiple strategy sessions on how to best tell the president’s story…”… https://t.co/3CL1Mifqof
— Dylan Byers (@DylanByers) April 26, 2024
His involvement was later verified on Friday afternoon by the Hollywood Reporter, which confirmed that Spielberg is “joining the Biden campaign,” while fellow film industry news site Deadline stated that he will be “involved strategically” with the reelection campaign and the convention setup.
While Spielberg’s team has not made any official comments in response to inquiries, a “well-placed source” disclosed that the “Raiders of the Lost Ark” director “wants to be as helpful as possible to the president.”
“He believes this is one of the most important elections in the nation’s history,” the insider noted.
The directing the DNC in August won’t be the Spielberg’s first rodeo, he reportedly helped the convention go virtual in 2020.
It’s not surprising that the Biden campaign is turning to Hollywood to help shape the president’s narrative, after all, Spielberg’s former Dreamworks partner Jeffrey Katzenberg is the Biden campaign co-chair.
While the plans currently do not involve any filming, the Hollywood Reporter noted that the “Schindler’s List” director made a film for the Obama campaign in 2008.
Meanwhile, Biden finally agreed to debate former President Donald Trump ahead of the upcoming election.
“I am, somewhere. I don’t know when,” Biden told Sirius XM’s Howard Stern in a surprise interview on Friday. “But I’m happy to debate him.”
It’s unclear if the response was teed up by the campaign during Stern’s hour-long softball interview, or if Biden went off script, as Trump seems to believe.
Trump reacted later in the day, noting that “everyone knows he doesn’t really mean it.”
On Howard Stern's show today, Biden claimed…
– He saved 6 people from drowning as a lifeguard (Lie)
– He received "salacious pictures" from women in the 70s that he handed to Secret Service (Definitely a lie and senators don't have secret service protection)
– That he was… pic.twitter.com/1SKlIAT88i— Greg Price (@greg_price11) April 26, 2024
However, the 45th president offered up Monday through Wednesday evenings of next week if Biden is serious, as he is required to appear in court for his hush money trial during the days.
“But in case he does, I say, ANYWHERE, ANYTIME, ANYPLACE, an old expression used by Fighters,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Friday morning.
He even graciously offered to share the stage at his Michigan rally, before presenting the option of getting the debate over with that night.
“In the alternative, he’s in New York City today, although probably doesn’t know it, and so am I, stuck in one of the many Court cases that he instigated as ELECTION INTERFERENCE AGAINST A POLITICAL OPPONENT – A CONTINUING WITCH HUNT!” Trump stated.
“It’s the only way he thinks he can win. In fact, let’s do the Debate at the Courthouse tonight – on National Television, I’ll wait around!” He added.
Post-court on Friday, Trump reiterated his debate challenge, saying, “We’re ready. Just tell me where. I will do it at the White House. That would be very comfortable, actually.”
Elsewhere in the surprise interview, Biden shared his past bouts with depression following the tragedy of losing his first wife, Neilia, and daughter, Naomi, contemplating going on a bender despite never drinking before.
“I used to sit there and just think, ‘I’m going to take out a bottle of scotch,’” Biden recounted. “’I’m going to just drink it and get drunk.’”
He elaborated on his struggles, saying, “you don’t need to be crazy to commit suicide. If you’ve been to the top of the mountain, you think it’s never going to be there again. I thought, “Let me just go to the Delaware Memorial [Bridge] and jump.’”
On a lighter note, Biden reminisced about receiving “salacious pictures” during his time as an unwed U.S. Senator.
“I got put in that ten most eligible bachelors list,” he told the shock jock.
“And a lot of lovely women, but women, would send very salacious pictures and I just give them to the Secret Service.
However, Biden said that he took a break from dating until meeting his future wife, Jill Biden.
“And I just gave up,” shared Biden. Then, he added, “I got a call from my brother. ‘I have a girl here at Delaware – Jill is nine years younger than I am. He said you’ll love her. She doesn’t like politics,'” Biden continued, discussing their initial connection.