USA (Commonwealth Union)_ Vinod Khosla, a prominent Indian-American billionaire and venture capitalist and the co-founder of Sun Microsystems and Khosla Ventures, hosted a fundraising event for US President Joe Biden at his residence in Silicon Valley. This event marked the first time during the 2024 election cycle that President Biden attended a fundraiser organized by an Indian-American. Tickets for the event ranged from USD 6,600 to USD 100,000, and it garnered over USD 1.5 million in contributions.
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The event was attended by a gathering of Indian-Americans from the Silicon Valley area, with approximately 50 people seated and 30 standing. President Biden, in his 15-minute speech, focused primarily on topics such as immigration and women’s rights. He also made references to Donald Trump, his Republican Party rival. While emphasizing the significant contributions of immigrants to the country’s work ethic and economic growth, President Biden did not mention India or Japan, unlike his remarks at a previous fundraiser in Washington DC. He underscored the importance of embracing diversity and rejecting xenophobia.
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Vinod Khosla introduced President Biden at the fundraiser, expressing gratitude for the president’s presence. President Biden, known for his affinity for dogs, humorously mentioned his preference for canine company over human interaction. Accompanying President Biden to the fundraiser were senior White House officials, including his speechwriter, Vinay Reddy. During the presidential convoy’s journey to the Khosla residence, both Israeli and pro-Palestinian groups greeted them, reflecting the ongoing geopolitical tensions.
In his short speech, President Biden used the opportunity to comment about former President Trump, making fun of various aspects of his presidency and personality. He urged the audience to read Trump’s interview with Time magazine and reference reports of Trump’s solicitations for campaign donations from oil executives. Additionally, Ajay Bhutoria, a member of the National Finance Committee of the Democratic National Committee, highlighted the potential influence of Indian-Americans in pivotal battleground states for the upcoming presidential election. He emphasized their support for President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris as significant factors in shaping the election outcome.
Vinod Khosla’s involvement in political advocacy, alongside his notable contributions to Democratic campaigns and organizations, underscores his commitment to various social and environmental causes. As a prominent venture capitalist, Khosla’s investments in technology startups and advocacy for clean energy have also garnered wide attention globally. The 2024 presidential election is anticipated to be a rematch between President Biden and former President Trump, with both candidates gearing up for a contentious campaign.
