Joe Biden's unflinching speech to Donald Trump: "A failure, incompetent and corrupt"

Joe Biden, former President of the United States, delivered a sharp critique against his successor, Donald Trump, during a speech at a Democratic Party event in Hanover, Maryland. In his remarks, Biden labeled Trump as "a failure," calling him "incompetent, corrupt, and narcissistic." The speech took place on Saturday and was part of the Democrats' efforts to regain control of Congress in the upcoming November midterm elections. Biden's comments were made at a gathering organized by the Maryland Democratic Party, where he addressed a range of issues related to Trump’s presidency and its impact on American politics and international relations.

In his approximately ten-minute address, Biden reviewed several controversial projects initiated under Trump’s administration in Washington, D.C. He highlighted the demolition of the East Wing of the White House to make way for a ballroom, the removal of Trump’s name from the façade of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts after a court ruling, and plans for a triumphal arch and renovations to the reflecting pool at the Lincoln Memorial. These projects, according to Biden, were driven by vanity rather than necessity. He also pointed out how algae infestation had affected the $14.7 million renovation of the Lincoln Memorial’s reflecting pool, which had been awarded without competitive bidding.

Biden emphasized that these projects were not the only concerns regarding Trump’s leadership. He criticized the administration’s attempts to compensate individuals who had been convicted but later pardoned by Trump for their roles in the January 6 Capitol attack. This, he argued, reflected a deeper issue within Trump’s governance. “What a failure,” Biden exclaimed after listing these examples, highlighting what he viewed as a pattern of behavior rooted in incompetence and self-interest.

The former president specifically focused on the renovation project of the Lincoln Memorial’s reflecting pool, noting that a $1.7 million contract for a filtration system was awarded to a donor of Trump without going through a competitive bidding process. This, he claimed, was indicative of a more serious problem than mere narcissism or incompetence. “It’s about corruption—corruption, brazen and blatant,” Biden stated, asserting that this level of corruption was unprecedented in American history.

Biden also criticized Trump’s relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Additionally, he accused Trump of deliberately undermining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) alliance, which has been significantly strained by the war between the United States and Israel against Iran at the end of February. According to Biden, Trump’s actions have diminished America’s global prestige more than any other president in history.

These statements came exactly two years after Biden’s disastrous televised debate with Trump, which preceded his decision to withdraw from the race for re-election in the 2024 presidential election. Following that debate, Trump went on to win a second term in office, defeating Kamala Harris, who was supported by Biden.

Before the Saturday event, Biden adopted a more conciliatory tone in a prepared statement for the occasion. He expressed his belief that democracy should not be a spectator sport and praised political organizers for their efforts in knocking doors, making phone calls, and contributing time that benefits everyone, even though it often goes unnoticed. This contrast between his earlier critical stance and his more measured approach before the event highlights the evolving nature of his political messaging as he continues to engage with the public and political landscape.