Democratic Senate candidates James Talarico of Texas and Sherrod Brown of Ohio are scheduled to hold a fundraising event in New York City with filmmaker Alexis Bittar, who recently described the United States as a “sh*thole” in an interview. The event, hosted by actor Robert De Niro, aims to support the candidates’ bids to flip traditionally Republican seats in the upcoming November elections.

Bittar, a jewelry designer turned activist filmmaker, directed the 33-minute documentary “Reclaim the Flag,” which features interviews with figures such as musician King Princess. In a July interview with Interview Magazine, Bittar stated, “I have three kids, and they’re little, and they’re growing up in this sh*thole. So if we don’t do something now, we’re f*cked.” The film and Bittar’s comments have drawn attention to the fundraising networks supporting Talarico and Brown.

What the Left Is Saying

Supporters of the candidates and Bittar frame the documentary and the fundraiser as necessary responses to a political climate that they argue has weaponized national symbols. Bittar, in an interview with Forbes, stated that the American flag has “become such a symbol of aggression... like ‘we’re coming for you’ during Trump’s era.” He described the current state of affairs as tragic, noting that the flag is now “used as a weapon to bifurcate.”

The event’s host committee, which lists Bittar at the top, reflects a network of cultural figures and activists aligned with progressive causes. Talarico, a state representative running for Senate in Texas, has been praised by Bittar on social media for his ability to challenge conservative narratives. “I love how this man can quote the bible to shut down so called ‘Christian Republicans’ ashamed of their actions they are taking against U.S. citizens,” Bittar said in an Instagram post. “I will be helping him out in the coming months to become the next Senator of Texas.”

The documentary “Reclaim the Flag” features interviews suggesting that the flag has become a marker of exclusion for marginalized groups. King Princess, who appears in the film, said, “When you walk past a house that has an American flag stoked in a yard, your immediate thought as a queer person is ‘I am not welcome here,’ that it’s a sign of bigotry and it’s a sign of fear.” This perspective argues that reclaiming or recontextualizing the symbol is essential for inclusive national identity.

What the Right Is Saying

Critics on the right view the selection of Bittar as a fundraiser host and the content of his documentary as indicative of a disconnect between Democratic candidates and mainstream American values. The Daily Wire report highlights that Bittar’s comments about the country being a “sh*thole” were made just one day before the United States’ 250th anniversary, a milestone often celebrated by conservatives as a testament to American exceptionalism.

The documentary’s depiction of the American flag as a “violent symbol of hatred” and a source of victimization for the LGBT community contrasts sharply with the conservative view of the flag as a unifying symbol of patriotism. Interviews featured in the film suggest that flag-wavers might intentionally target gay people, a narrative that critics argue misrepresents the intent of patriotic display and fuels division rather than unity.

Bittar’s connection to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who tapped Bittar for his Arts and Culture Transition Committee, further links the fundraiser to a progressive political network that has gained visibility in major urban centers. For many on the right, this association reinforces concerns about the influence of activist filmmakers and cultural elites on political fundraising, particularly in competitive Senate races in states like Texas and Ohio.

What the Numbers Show

The fundraising event is scheduled to charge attendees between $500 and $27,000 for participation. Bittar’s documentary, “Reclaim the Flag,” runs for 33 minutes and was produced in collaboration with Oscar-winning filmmaker Bruce Cohen. The film’s release and Bittar’s subsequent comments occurred in July, shortly before the U.S. 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026.

Talarico and Brown are vying for seats currently held by Republicans in Texas and Ohio, respectively. Both states have traditionally leaned Republican, but recent polling and demographic shifts have made them targets for Democratic gains in the Senate. The involvement of high-profile cultural figures like Robert De Niro and Bittar signals an effort to mobilize donor networks in coastal cities to support these inland races.

The Daily Wire noted that Bittar’s fundraising network previously contributed to the election of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. This track record suggests that Bittar has access to a specific donor base that may be crucial for the high-cost Senate campaigns in 2026. The event’s host committee structure, with Bittar listed prominently, indicates his central role in organizing the financial support for the candidates.

The Bottom Line

The fundraiser highlights the intersection of cultural activism and political strategy in the 2026 Senate races. By aligning with Bittar and hosting De Niro, Talarico and Brown are leveraging celebrity influence and progressive networks to fund their campaigns in difficult political territories. The controversy surrounding Bittar’s comments and documentary serves as a focal point for debates over national identity and the symbolism of the American flag.

As the November elections approach, the impact of this event on voter perception in Texas and Ohio remains to be seen. Supporters argue that addressing the exclusionary aspects of national symbols is vital for engaging diverse constituencies, while critics contend that such narratives alienate traditional voters who view the flag as a symbol of unity and pride. The outcome of these Senate races may depend in part on how candidates navigate these cultural divides.

Future developments will likely include further scrutiny of the fundraising networks and the potential for additional cultural figures to enter the political arena. The Daily Wire’s report on the event underscores the ongoing tension between progressive activism and conservative patriotism, a dynamic that is expected to play a significant role in the final weeks of the campaign.