Former President Joe Biden delivered a robust critique of his successor Friday, arguing to a room of supporters that President Donald Trump has “taken a wrecking ball” to democracy.
“I knew Trump was going to taking a wrecking ball to the country, but I had no idea, I have to admit, I didn’t know there was going to be an actual wrecking ball,” Biden stated at a gala hosted in Omaha by the Nebraska Democratic get together, referring to Trump’s demolition of the the White House’s East Wing to construct a 90,000-square foot ballroom.
“It’s a perfect symbol of his presidency,” Biden stated. “Trump has taken a wrecking ball not only to the people’s house but to the Constitution, to the rule of law, to our very democracy.”
Biden additionally mocked Trump’s repeated declarations that his second time period has introduced “a golden age” to the nation.
“He now says we are quote ‘in a golden age.’ The only gold is the stuff he’s hanging on the mantle,” the previous president stated, referring to Trump’s gilded additions to the Oval Office.
At instances through the remarks, Biden addressed Trump immediately. In one occasion, the previous president stated to Trump, “You act in a way that embarrasses us as a nation, quite frankly.”
He additionally criticized Trump for prioritizing the pursuits of his rich allies over the American folks.
“You work for us, Mr. President. We don’t work for you. You work for us, not just billionaires and millionaires,” Biden stated, including, “I’m angry.”
The former president additionally mentioned his prostate cancer diagnosis, simply weeks after ringing the bell to commemorate the completion of a course of radiation remedy. Biden tied his private expertise with the sickness to the significance of well being care.
“I thank God for the doctors and the nurses and the incredible breakthroughs we’re making in cancer research,” Biden stated. “Now Trump and his Republican friends are cutting government funding for health care and making it more expensive, more expensive for virtually everyone.”
Biden’s remarks come because the nation is in the longest authorities shutdown in historical past, with the stalemate centered across the situation of well being care subsidies. Democrats are refusing to help Republicans’ invoice to fund the federal government as a result of it doesn’t lengthen the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium subsidies, that are set to expire on the finish of the yr.
Biden additionally weighed in on the Democrats’ sweeping victory in Tuesday’s election, loudly exclaiming, “The Democratic party is back!”
Democrats gained throughout the spectrum Tuesday with Zohran Mamdani elected mayor of New York City, whereas Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill gained gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey, respectively. In California, a Democrat-backed ballot measure on redistricting was additionally accepted by voters.
He argued that the wins show that “the American people are sending a message … to Trump and to his crowd,” denouncing Trump’s insurance policies.
Hitting a acquainted notice from his marketing campaign final yr, Biden went on to stress the fragility of democracy and urged the room of supporters “to put in the work” to defend it.
“Democracy is not a given,” Biden stated. “There is nothing guaranteed about democracy even in America. You have to put in the work. We have to elect the leaders who believe in democracy, who stand up for it, who defend it, who protect it.”
Biden later added, “I know this nation. I know the American people. And here’s what I know: No one, no one, not even the president, can destroy our democracy if we stand together and fight for it.”