Fundraisers, ‘Ellen' Show Taping on President's California Itinerary

The president will wrap up the weeklong California stop with a two-day a summit of Asian leaders in Rancho Mirage

President Barack Obama taped an appearance on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" in Burbank and spoke at a pair of Democratic National Committee fundraisers in Hancock Park on Thursday, criticizing the tenor of the campaign to succeed him.

President Obama arrives at LAX aboard Air Force One this afternoon. Pan phone around or click and scroll for 360 view of video.

Posted by Sean Browning on Thursday, 11 February 2016

Obama arrived in California late Wednesday after delivering a speech about civility in politics to the Illinois General Assembly. He entered politics as an Illinois state senator.

Obama is expected to depart LAX Friday.

During his appearance on the "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" Obama  criticized what he called the Instagram culture, "We expect quick answers without sacrifice," complained about politics that demonizes the other side and "factually incorrect news."

The president's visit to Burbank for a taping of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" was his first in-studio appearance since 2007, when he showed off his dance moves during his first campaign for president. It also marks the first time a sitting president will appear on the show.

The episode will air Friday.

Obama then flew from Burbank on Marine One, the presidential helicopter, to Los Angeles High School.

Obama also traveled by motorcade to the Hancock Park home of entertainment lawyer Aaron Rosenberg and Danny Rose, a producer of the CBS  drama "Scorpion," for a reception, concert and fundraiser for about 340 people.

Tickets ranged from $1,000 per person to as high as $33,400 per couple, which included prime seating and admission to a reception with a presidential  photo line. Some of the money went to the Democratic Hope Fund, which helps  retire Obama's campaign debt.

Obama began a nearly 20-minute speech by telling the crowd he keeps a checklist in his desk of campaign promises he made.

Obama will remain in Los Angeles overnight, according to the White House. He is then scheduled to fly to Palm Springs in advance of a summit of Asian leaders on Monday and Tuesday, which the president will host at Sunnylands resort in Rancho Mirage. Obama has invited the leaders of 10 Southeast Asian nations to a two-day summit.

The president will be joined by Secretary of State John Kerry at the Sunnylands event, which is aimed at strengthening the new U.S.-ASEAN strategic partnership forged last November during a presidential trip to Malaysia.

Obama was last in the Los Angeles area in October, when he attended a series of fundraisers for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and Democratic National Committee.

He took part in a roundtable discussion at the home of "Star Trek" and "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" director J.J. Abrams, a fundraising event at the Pacific Palisades home of psychiatrist Dr. Robin Berman — where Jamie Foxx performed for guests — and a dinner at the home of interior designer Michael Smith and his partner, former HBO executive James Costos, the U.S. ambassador to Spain.

That visit was Obama's 23rd to Los Angeles and Orange counties as president.

Obama has taken part in fundraisers during 20 of his previous visits to Los Angeles and Orange counties as president, attending 37 of them in Los Angeles County on those trips, occasionally attending several during the same visit.

As is typical with presidential visits, motorists should anticipate delays as roads are closed to accommodate his motorcade.

City News Service contributed to this report.

 
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