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Hollywood Reacts to Joe Biden Exiting the Presidential Race

Cher. (AP)
Cher. (AP)
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Hollywood Reacts to Joe Biden Exiting the Presidential Race

Cher. (AP)
Cher. (AP)

Hollywood was quick to react to the news that President Joe Biden was ending his bid for reelection and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris.

Barbra Streisand, a Democratic supporter, wrote Sunday on X that “we should be grateful for his upholding of our democracy.” While many paid tribute to Biden’s presidency, others wondered about the future.

Cher wrote on X that she was “tortured” because she doesn’t believe the Democrats could win without Biden. She said it was time to think “way outside the box” and proposed a split ticket.

In recent weeks, several high-profile Hollywood names had begun calling for Biden to exit the race. Just weeks after headlining a record-breaking fundraiser for the president's reelection campaign, George Clooney wrote a New York Times opinion piece calling for Biden to end his bid.

Clooney argued that the party should pick a new nominee, saying the process would be “messy” but “wake up” voters in the party’s favor.

Others who attended or participated in the starry fundraiser in Los Angeles included Julia Roberts, Streisand, Jimmy Kimmel, former President Barack Obama, Jack Black, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Kathryn Hahn and Jason Bateman.

Ralph, on Sunday, posted a photo of herself and Harris writing “President Biden has endorsed Kamala Harris!”

Here are some notable celebrity reactions:

Barbra Streisand

“Joe Biden will go down in history as a man who accomplished significant achievements in his 4-year term. We should be grateful for his upholding of our democracy.”

Cher

“In my heart im tortured, Because I Don’t believe the Democrats Can win the Presidency with Pres Biden. ‘Joe’ whom I’ve Loved since we met in 2008. I Campaigned for him I believe ITS TIME 2 PASS THE BATON. TIME 4 DEMS 2 THINK “WAY” OUTSIDE THE BOX. MAYBE EVEN A SPLIT TICKET.”

Mark Hamill

“@JoeBiden has a record of accomplishments unmatched by any president in our lifetime. He restored honesty, dignity & integrity to the office after 4 years of lies, crime, scandal & chaos. Thank you for your service, Mr. President. It’s now our duty as patriotic Americans to elect the Democrat who will honor & further your legacy.”

George Takei

“I want to honor our President @JoeBiden. He has served our nation admirably for decades, he is a decent honorable man, a hugely successful president, and a patriot. Now let us unite behind @KamalaHarris and defeat Donald Trump in November!”

Russell Brand

“Joe Biden has endorsed Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination after ending re-election bid. We’re in a wild world, mate.”

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Entertainment

Disneyland Workers Threaten Strike Action over Wages, Treatment

Disney employees rally outside the main entrance of Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, on July 17, 2024, ahead of a planned strike authorization vote. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP)
Disney employees rally outside the main entrance of Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, on July 17, 2024, ahead of a planned strike authorization vote. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP)
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Disneyland Workers Threaten Strike Action over Wages, Treatment

Disney employees rally outside the main entrance of Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, on July 17, 2024, ahead of a planned strike authorization vote. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP)
Disney employees rally outside the main entrance of Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, on July 17, 2024, ahead of a planned strike authorization vote. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP)

Hundreds of Disneyland Resort employees protested outside the world-famous California theme parks Wednesday, calling for better wages and denouncing alleged anti-union practices by the company ahead of a looming strike vote.
Featuring workers in costumes from the parks' "Indiana Jones" and "Star Wars" themed rides, among others, the rally was organized by unions representing some 14,000 Disneyland employees, from rollercoaster operators to candy makers, said AFP.
Slogans among the signs being carried included "Mickey would want fair pay" and "Disney, don't be the villain" at the march in Anaheim, near Los Angeles.
"We deserve fair wages," said 44-year-old Disneyland employee Ginny Cristales.
"A strike is our last resort, that we're not wanting to do. But if Disney doesn't comply and give us what we need, then we're all ready."
Disney has been in negotiations since April with the four California unions representing its park employees.
The talks have so far yielded nothing, and unions accuse the so-called "Happiest Place in the World" of intimidating employees.
Disney is claimed to have reprimanded and issued warnings to more than 500 employees for wearing a union pin featuring an image of Mickey Mouse's glove clenched in the shape of a fist.
"Last week, I saw a manager telling one of the cast members to remove her badge. He told her that it will be on her record card," said Cristales.
"She was stressed and she got scared."
The allegations have prompted an investigation by the National Labor Relations Board.
Disney has said the union buttons violate its "Disney Look" dress code.
Employees will vote on whether to authorize a strike this Friday. If the action is approved, unions will then decide on its terms and duration.
Contract talks with Disney are set for next Monday and Tuesday.
- 'We make the magic' -
In the wake of last year's devastating strikes by Hollywood actors and writers, another large-scale walkout at Disney would be historic.
Employees at the Disneyland resort -- composed of the Disneyland and Disney California Adventure theme parks -- have not gone on strike since 1984, according to the LA Times.
But Cristales, a mother of four, said her $2,800 monthly wage does not even cover her family's rent.
"We make the magic, they make the money," went one of the chants heard Wednesday, as passing cars honked in support.
"Disney will invest $2 billion in its park but refuses to pay workers a living age" read a slogan on a protesters' T-shirt.
Organizers said one thousand protesters attended the rally.
An AFP journalist saw several hundred march to the park's perimeter, where they tried to set up for speeches, but were told by security to move to a car park some 200 yards (meters) away.
"With today's rally, we continue to be focused on the wellbeing of our guests and cast members," said Disney in a statement Wednesday.
"We remain committed to the upcoming meetings on July 22-23 and reaching an agreement with Master Services that focuses on what matters most to cast members, positions Disneyland Resort for growth and job creation and enables us to continue delivering incredible guest experiences."