‘White Dudes for Harris’ Raises $4.2 Million in Zoom Call with Celebrity Guests
A group of men calling themselves “White Dudes for Harris” recently hosted a groundbreaking Zoom call to show their support and raise funds for Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for the upcoming presidential election.
More than 190,000 people joined the three-and-a-half-hour long virtual rally, generating an impressive $4.2 million for the Harris campaign, as reported by the organizers. The event was inspired by a similar Zoom call organized by the group “Win With Black Women,” which raised over $1 million for Harris shortly after President Biden endorsed her following his withdrawal from the race. Since then, several identity-focused Zoom calls have emerged to support Harris.
Highlights of the ‘White Dudes for Harris’ Call
During the marathon Zoom rally, various speakers took the stage to share personal anecdotes about their reasons for backing Harris, who has the potential to become the first non-“dude” to occupy the Oval Office if victorious in November.
The list of speakers included prominent figures like potential vice-presidential candidates such as Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker. Additionally, notable Hollywood actors, singers, and even Jeff Bridges, known for his role as “the Dude” in the iconic film “The Big Lebowski,” joined the call to express their support for Harris.
Jeff Bridges, reflected on his support for Harris, stating, “I qualify, man: I’m white, I’m a dude, and I’m for Harris,” emphasizing his excitement at the prospect of a female president and Harris’s potential to lead the nation.
Buttigieg’s Address
Pete Buttigieg, the transportation secretary, humorously acknowledged the honor of addressing an assembly of “dudes” following Jeff Bridges. Buttigieg underlined Trump’s incapacity for office and commended Harris as the ideal candidate to hold him accountable. Encouragingly, he noted the surge of enthusiasm Harris’s candidacy has sparked within the Democratic Party.
Other participants took turns criticizing figures like Sen. JD Vance and former President Trump, pointing out the dangers they pose to various facets of society.
Responding to Critics
At the onset of the call, Ross Morales Rocketto, the organizer of “White Dudes for Harris,” acknowledged the skepticism surrounding an event organized by white men, given the nation’s history of racism. Rocketto explained that the intention behind the call was to rally white men to support Harris, aiming to counter the overwhelming support Trump received from this demographic in previous elections.
He articulated, “The left has ceded men to the MAGA right for way too long, and that’s going to stop tonight.” Rocketto emphasized the importance of reclaiming white male support for Harris, addressing the discomfort and skepticism associated with the event.
