Hollywood Democrats ‘Terrified’ as Polls Show Clinton-Trump Race Tightening
“I still have a couple of fingernails left,” one prominent Hillary Clinton fundraiser tells TheWrap
Itay Hod | November 3, 2016 @ 4:04 PM
Last Updated: November 3, 2016 @ 5:09 PM
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Top Hollywood Democrats are feeling the pressure as polls show the race between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton is quickly tightening heading into the final days before voters go to the polls.
“It’s terrifying,” L.A.-based Democratic strategist and Clinton supporter Donna Bojarsky told TheWrap. “The stakes are just so high.”
Bojarsky says Hollywood is divided into two groups of people at the moment: Those who can’t watch the political coverage anymore and those who can’t stop watching. “Some can’t watch anything,” she said. “They can’t sleep. Other people can’t seem to take their eyes off it.”
Clinton holds a slight edge in most national polls with five days until Election Day. According to a new New York Times/CBS News poll released Thursday, most voters have made up their minds with recent bombshell revelations about both candidates making “no significant difference to them.”
The poll shows Clinton leading Trump by three points, a six-point drop from two weeks ago, when Trump was embroiled inaccusations from women claiming that he had made unwanted sexual advances toward them.
“I still have a couple of fingernails left,” said one prominent Clinton fundraiser who asked not to be named.
Bojarsky added, “When you have someone like Trump, who is an affront to everything you hold dear, it’s scary. He makes Mitt Romney look like Winston Churchill.”
The margin between Clinton and Trump is within the the New York Times/CBS poll margin of error. But Clinton is still better positioned to win the election. Five Thirty Eight put Clinton’s chance of winning the presidency at 65 percent. In order to win the race, Trump would not only have to win all of the remaining swing states, but also one of the so-called “blue states.”
But according to RealClearPolitics polling averages, that’s not impossible. Trump has caught up with Clinton in New Hampshire, with two Thursday polls showing both candidates locked in a dead-heat and a third showing Trump up by 5 points.
While Clinton is still in the lead, the pressure of the last 20 months is starting to take its toll, particularly on a community that has been at the epicenter of the election cycle. As one Hollywood Democrat told TheWrap: “You’d be hard pressed to find anyone in Hollywood who hasn’t been to some kind of fundraiser for Hillary.”
“Intellectually you know she’s going to win,” said Bojarsky. “But everyone is terrified by the news.”
David Schneiderman, co-owner and founder of Seismic Productions and a prominent Clinton supporter, told TheWrap he’s “cautiously optimistic.”
“We’re all hoping for a bit of good,” he said. “We’re holding our breath and hoping for the best.”
And Dana Perlman, a lawyer and longtime Clinton fundraiser, said he always expected the race to be tight but that he too is somewhat concerned.
“To quote Mel Brooks, ‘We have high anxiety,'” he said. “Everybody is feeling it. More than anything, we’re worried people will be complacent. The most important thing now is getting people to the polls.”
37 Hollywood Stars for Donald Trump in 2020 (Photos)
With time running out for the President to gain Joe Biden in the polls, here are 34 of Trump's celebrity fans rooting for the President to win a second term.
"I think Trump, no matter what anybody thinks of him, is doing a good job at trying to get these states — and all of the American people — what they need," Dennis Quaid told the Daily Beast in April 2020.
Comedian Roseanne Barr tweeted a picture of herself wearing a "Trump 2020" baseball cap with the caption, "2020 vision."
Former "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" Kristy Swanson in March tweeted, "An honor to meet you Mr. President."
Former NFL great Hershel Walker spoke at the RNC in August and tweeted, "TRUMP PENCE 2020"
"Thank you for being the best President ever," tweeted Diamond and Silk.
Mariano Rivera, the Former Yankee pitcher who was awarded the Medal of Freedom from the President in 2019 said, "He's doing the best for the United States."
"Phenomenal President. Quite possibly the USA," tweeted UFC fighter Conor McGregor back in January. "Most certainly one of them anyway, as he sits atop the shoulders of many amazing giants that came before him."
"We're on the very front end of this right now, and I feel comfortable and confident that because of strong leadership," said Elisabeth Hasselbeck on "The View" in March supporting the President's coronavirus response.
Former "Entertainment Tonight" anchor Mary Hart hosted the President's controversial July 4th celebration at Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota back in July.
"He is literally going to go down in history as one of our greatest Presidents," said "Pawn Stars" Rick Harrison at the Conservative Political Action Conference in February.
NASCAR driver Corey LaJoie sported a "Trump 2020" on his car at NASCAR’s Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, back in July.
UFC fighter Colby Covington recently supported the President on his Instagram saying, "Had a tremendous time yesterday with @erictrump & @carlos_e_gavidia at the MAGA Boat Parade in Miami!"
“All I gotta say is Trump 2020, bitch. Fuck I look like paying an extra 33 in taxes for Biden," rapper Lil Pump said on his Instagram story in October 2020.
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Golf legend Jack Nicklaus in a statement on his Twitter "strongly recommend(s) you consider Donald J. Trump for another four years. I certainly have and have already cast my vote for him!"
Lil Wayne shocked fans on Oct. 29 when he tweeted a photo of himself with President Trump. He captioned the pic by saying that "besides what he’s done so far with criminal reform, the platinum plan is going to give the community real ownership."
NFL Legend Brett Favre tweeted, "In this election, we have freedom of choice, which all should respect. For me & these principles, my Vote is for @RealDonaldTrump."
With the election underway, here are the stars who will be voting for President Donald Trump’s second term in 2020
With time running out for the President to gain Joe Biden in the polls, here are 34 of Trump's celebrity fans rooting for the President to win a second term.