Both President Joe Biden and his 2024 presidential rival, former President Donald Trump, will be in New York City on Thursday, but for differing reasons.
While Biden will be attending a scheduled swanky fundraising event for his 2024 re-election bid with former Democratic Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, Trump will be attending the wake of slain 31-year-old New York City Police Department officer Jonathan Diller.
As highlighted by the Associated Press, some online have compared and contrasted Trump and Biden’s schedules for the day.
“Today President Trump will attend the wake for fallen Officer Jonathan Diller in Long Island. Joe Biden will be with Barack Obama and Bill Clinton at a fundraiser for the elites of NYC…where it costs six figures for a pic with the trio,” political correspondent for OANN Daniel Baldwin posted. “The contrast could not be clearer.”
Today President Trump will attend the wake for fallen Officer Jonathan Diller in Long Island.
Joe Biden will be with Barack Obama and Bill Clinton at a fundraiser for the elites of NYC…where it costs six figures for a pic with the trio.
The contrast could not be clearer.
— Daniel Baldwin (@baldwin_daniel_) March 28, 2024
The celebrity-packed Biden fundraiser has turned heads after NBC News reported that it would cost $100,000 or more for attendees to have their photograph taken with all three presidents. Biden is expected to rake in $25 million.
Meanwhile, Trump’s campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a statement that Trump was “moved” to be invited to attend Diller’s service.
“President Trump is moved by the invitation to join NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller’s family and colleagues as they deal with his senseless and tragic death,” Leavitt said.
Diller, a husband and father to a 1-year-old, tragically died Monday after he was shot by a career criminal during a traffic stop in Queens, according to law enforcement.
A 34-year-old man named Guy Rivera was sitting in the passenger seat of the vehicle during the traffic stop. As police attempted to get Rivera to vacate the car, he allegedly pulled out a handgun and shot Diller in the stomach, The New York Post reported. Witness Deon Peters told the Post that he saw Diller fall to the ground after being shot, yelling, “‘I’m hit, I’m hit!’”
Trump on Wednesday took to Truth Social to offer prayers to Diller’s family and rail against the crime plaguing New York City.
“Our heartfelt prayers go out to the family of highly decorated NYPD officer Jonathan Diller, whose life was taken by a murderous career criminal yesterday during a traffic stop in Queens,” Trump wrote. “The ‘thug’ in question has 21 prior arrests and just recently got out of prison – he NEVER should have been let back out on the streets.”
“To Officer Diller’s family, and all of the other brave men and women of law enforcement who put your lives on the line every day, we love you, we appreciate you, and we will always stand with you!” the former president added.
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In the wake of the tragedy, two charities have stepped up to offer financial support for Diller’s family. Tunnels to Towers Foundation has confirmed that it will pay off the mortgage to Diller’s family home.
“Every day Officer Diller donned his uniform, there was a risk he may not come home,” T2T’s chairman and CEO Frank Siller said in a statement. “We will honor him not only for his sacrifice but for his unwavering resolve to protect the people of New York City. Tunnel to Towers is honored to ensure his family can stay in their home, forever.”
Further, public tip-line COP-SHOT has pledged $10,000 toward the slain officer’s young son’s future education.
“There was no need for COP-SHOT to post our standing $10,000 cash reward in this tragic and cold-blooded murder of Police Officer Diller because the alleged suspects were apprehended at the scene,” COP-SHOT chairman John Provetto said in a statement. “Therefore, COP-SHOT has gifted this $10,000 to Officer Diller’s family. This is a small gesture to let them know that the service and sacrifice of this father and husband will never be forgotten by New York City and its business community.”
Zach Jewell has contributed to this report.
Related: NYPD Officer Shot And Killed During Traffic Stop: ‘This City Lost A Hero’