New York has traditionally been a cash cow for Democratic candidates but Thursday’s event is enormous in scale. The $25 million total is more than double what Trump raised in the entire month of February, according to federal filings.

A star-studded crowd will see Biden, Obama and Clinton on stage at one of the city’s iconic entertainment venues.

Late-night television host Stephen Colbert will moderate a conversation with the three presidents. Actress and producer Mindy Kaling will host a program featuring performances by Queen Latifah, Lizzo, Ben Platt, Cynthia Erivo and Lea Michele, according to the Biden campaign. Vogue editor Anna Wintour helped Biden’s campaign finance leadership plan the event, according to a campaign official.

Three days earlier, Trump appeared in a New York court in a failed attempt to delay the first of four criminal trials against him. The ex-president is liable for a $454 million civil fraud judgment and is banned from serving as a corporate officer or director in the state for three years.

The Trump campaign didn’t respond to a request for comment. He texted a fundraising appeal to followers on Wednesday, saying “DON’T LET OBAMA SPIT IN YOUR FACE! Tomorrow they aim to HUMILIATE us. It’s bad.” The message said 90% of the money would go to his campaign and the rest to the entity paying his legal bills.

Biden’s event is much larger than other political fundraisers, which typically happen at private homes with more intimate crowds.

The cheapest ticket is $225, lower than the cost of entry to most fundraisers. For $50,000, donors can get into an after party and receive an invite to a national finance committee retreat. A photo with the presidents starts at $100,000, while a $250,000 or $500,000 contribution allows access to more exclusive gatherings, according to an invitation. Select guests will have their photo taken by Annie Leibovitz, a campaign official said.

Biden will not receive a warm reception from everyone in New York. Protesters angry with the president’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war are expected to demonstrate against him. Biden’s motorcade and security footprint will also snarl traffic in Manhattan, a persistent annoyance for residents during presidential visits.

New York leaders have voiced concerns about the influx of migrants and implored the federal government to do more to ease the strain on social services. Worries about a spike in crime, especially in the city’s subways, have also left Biden vulnerable to attacks on his public-safety record.

—With assistance from Amanda Gordon and Stephanie Lai.

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