In a rare public address, former President Joe Biden delivered a scathing critique of President Donald Trump, focusing particularly on his recent State of the Union address. Speaking in Columbia, South Carolina, on Friday, the 83-year-old Democrat questioned Trump's lengthy speech to Congress, asking supporters: "Did you see Trump give the State of the Union? Is he still talking?"
Biden's Stark Warning About America's Future
Addressing a crowd gathered to commemorate his decades of public service, Biden offered a grim assessment of the current political climate. "My friends, I can't sugarcoat this," he stated. "These are dark days. The threats we face today are not anything new but they've been amplified in ways we have never seen before. Our future is literally on the line."
The former president, who dropped out of the 2024 race amid concerns about his health, accused Trump of attempting to "steal the election" by putting up barriers to dissuade Americans from voting. A White House spokesperson did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding these allegations.
Specific Criticisms of Trump's Address
Biden highlighted what he saw as significant omissions from Trump's record-breaking two-hour speech. "It's unbelievable, the guy talks almost two hours but never mentions the anniversary of Putin invading Ukraine. Never once," he remarked with evident frustration.
The former president also noted that Trump failed to offer "support or even recognition" to victims of Jeffrey Epstein who were seated in the House chamber during the address. Furthermore, Biden pointed out that the president made no mention of Renee Good or Alex Pretti — two Americans killed by federal immigration agents in Minnesota.
Addressing Controversial Social Media Content
Biden, who is currently being treated for an aggressive form of prostate cancer, also referenced a controversial video posted to Trump's Truth Social account that depicted the Obamas as primates. "He has not said a word, he meaning Trump, about the racist comments he wrote about Barack and Michelle," Biden asserted.
The White House has stated that a staffer "erroneously" made the post, which was removed several hours after condemnation from politicians across the political spectrum.
Contrasting Presidential Records
Throughout his twenty-minute speech, Biden peppered his remarks with references to his own White House accomplishments, deliberately juxtaposing them against Trump's record. He claimed that his administration's jobs numbers outstripped those of his successor and that he worked to strengthen the healthcare system, while Trump has attempted to weaken it.
Trump has repeatedly derided Biden as "incompetent," blaming him for unchecked illegal immigration and for "weaponizing" the Department of Justice against him. This ongoing political feud continues to define the American political landscape as both figures remain influential voices in their respective parties.
Biden's forceful critique culminated in his declaration about the current president: "There's something wrong with this guy." This blunt assessment underscores the deepening divisions between America's political factions as the nation approaches another election cycle.
