Jimmy Kimmel at Democrat Fundraiser: ‘Nothing More Important than Taking Back Control of this Country’ (Video)

Host Jimmy Kimmel speaks onstage during the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood &
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Jerome Hudson

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti was flanked by ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel and super-producer DJ Kahlid at a glitzy fundraiser at Avalon Hollywood Tuesday night, raising an intended goal of $1 million for the Garcetti-founded political action committee Democratic Midterm Victory Fund.

“The reason I am here tonight is because I feel like I have to be,” the event’s emcee Jimmy Kimmel told the audience at the beginning of a politically charged speech. “Because it’s not enough just to vote this time. We have to do more than that this time, much more. I’m here because our government is being run by a group of people who don’t care about people.”

“I’m also here because I care about the future of this planet; because I believe scientists more than I do willfully ignorant fossil fuel executives who care more about their stocks options than their own grandchildren,” Kimmel said. “I’m here because women should have the right to make decisions about their own bodies; because children are being put in cages; because no human being should have an assault rifle.”

“It used to be when you’re a late-night talk show host the prevailing wisdom was don’t take a side, it isn’t worth it, you’ll lose have your audience. Your job is to stay neutral and make fun of everyone,” Kimmel continued. “I’m sure you’ve noticed, if you flip around the channels, that wisdom no longer prevails.”

“This is an emergency,” Kimmel said to thunderous applause. “We need to fight. We need to do everything within our power to repeal and replace Congress.”

Jimmy Kimmel speaks onstage at 1 Night, $1 Million, 10 States, 100s Of Victories With Eric Garcetti, Jimmy Kimmel, And Dj Khaled on September 25, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Democratic Midterm Victory Fund)

Jimmy Kimmel, DJ Khaled and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti speak onstage at 1 Night, $1 Million, 10 States, 100s Of Victories With Eric Garcetti, Jimmy Kimmel, And Dj Khaled on September 25, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Democratic Midterm Victory Fund)

“There’s nothing more important than taking back control of this country,” he said before introducing Garcetti. “And making America great again, because that’s what we’re going to do. We’re taking back Congress and we’re taking that Goddamn slogan, too.”

“I am in awe of this man,” Kimmel said of Garcetti as the presidential hopeful took the stage.

DJ Khaled, who performed his hit songs, led a chant and encouraged the crowd to get out and vote.

“State Democratic parties are where it all comes together — where they are working to flip Congress, win state legislative seats and register voters,” Garcetti said in a statement about his PACs fundraiser, which aims to send $100,000 to 10 states to support Democratic campaigns. “This is about the short game and the long game, and keep in mind that state legislatures are in charge of drawing congressional districts. Our opponents certainly do.”

According to Garcetti, the event was a financial success.

“Donald Trump may not be on the ballot, but a Congress that enables him is. Tonight, raised not $1 million but $1.4 million to take back our country,” he tweeted.

California, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin will reportedly receive a share of the proceeds from Tuesday’s event.
Follow Jerome Hudson on Twitter @jeromeehudson

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