Former President Joe Biden branded Donald Trump a 'loser' during a speech at a Maryland Democrats gala this weekend, as Trump's approval rating plummeted to 30% — the lowest of his second term. Biden targeted Trump's controversial construction projects, including the $400 million East Wing Modernization Project and the botched Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovation.
Biden's Attack on Trump's 'Vanity Projects'
Biden criticized Trump's 'East Wing Modernization Project,' which involves demolishing the historic 90,000-square-foot East Wing of the White House to build a 1,000-capacity ballroom at an estimated cost of $400 million or more. He also referenced the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, where Trump spent over $16 million ahead of the US's 250th birthday on July 4. Trump claimed the pool was 'bigger than the Empire State Building,' but the project faced ridicule after a duckling was found dead following the use of hydrogen peroxide, and a former Olympic athlete was arrested for touching the slime-filled water.
Allegations of Corruption
Biden accused Trump of 'brazen, blatant corruption,' citing a $1.7 million no-bid filtration system contract awarded to a Trump donor who is a neighbor of Trump's Mar-a-Lago club. Trump referred to the donor as his 'pool guy.' Biden stated, 'It’s the corruption – the corruption, the brazen, blatant corruption. Corruption on a scale never seen before in American history in any administration.' He also claimed the Trump family collectively has been 'cashing in' on his second term.
White House Response
The White House dismissed the accusations as 'the same, tired narrative that Democrats have pushed against President Trump, his family, and his administration for a decade.' Spokesperson Anna Kelly said, 'President Trump only acts in the best interests of the American public — which is why they overwhelmingly re-elected him to this office, despite years of lies and false accusations against him and his businesses from the fake news media. There are no conflicts of interest.'
Biden's Closing Remarks
Biden concluded, 'He has no shame, and frankly it’s embarrassing for the country. But Trump? Trump could care less.' The speech lasted 10 minutes and drew loud cheers from Democratic attendees.
