Former President Joe Biden’s return to the campaign trail was met with interruptions Saturday night, as hecklers and jeers broke into his remarks while he delivered a broad critique of President Donald Trump.
Biden charged that his successor has weakened U.S. alliances, focused on self-serving projects and used the presidency for personal gain.
Addressing Democrats at the Maryland Democratic Party’s Fight Back & Win Summit at Live! Casino & Hotel in Hanover, the 83-year-old leaned heavily on a teleprompter as he repeatedly took aim at Trump.
At several points, Biden had to stop speaking as protesters interrupted the event, and his speech was also marked by repeated coughing.
The appearance was among Biden’s most prominent public addresses in recent weeks, coming as he continues to make political outings while undergoing treatment for Stage 4 prostate cancer.
During the speech, Biden sought to highlight the achievements of his own administration while contending that Trump’s return to the White House has hurt the nation’s reputation both domestically and internationally.
He argued that Americans are increasingly looking back on the economy during his presidency more positively than they view the economy under Trump.
“Have you noticed that Americans are saying the economy under the Biden administration is a hell of a lot better than under Trump?” Biden asked the crowd, earning applause from the largely Democratic audience.
Biden was interrupted by shouting hecklers but continued with his prepared remarks while speaking at the Maryland Democratic Party’s Fight Back & Win Summit in Hanover on Saturday
The 83-year-old repeatedly criticized President Donald Trump during the speech, calling him ‘a loser’ adding Trump represents ‘corruption on a scale never seen before’
The former president also accused Trump of weakening America’s alliances by what he described as the ‘deliberate distraction – destruction of NATO.’
He went on to accuse Trump of enriching himself while back in office and said the president’s conduct reflected ‘corruption on a scale never seen before.’
‘It’s simply stunning to me,’ Biden said. ‘He has no shame, and frankly it’s embarrassing for the country. But Trump? Trump could care less.’
Biden reserved some of his sharpest criticism for several construction and branding projects associated with Trump’s second administration.
‘It’s not just his vanity projects – tearing down the East Wing of the White House making room for his ballroom. Putting his name on the Kennedy Center. Building an arch in his own honor. Even hiring his own pool guy to fix the reflecting pool,’ Biden said before delivering his punchline.
‘Woah – what a loser.’
The remark drew applause from party activists attending the summit.
Despite the repeated attacks on Trump, Biden spent much of the speech urging Democrats not to become discouraged following recent political setbacks.
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Biden took aim at Trump’s proposal to build an arch in his own honor in Washington
The former president also ridiculed Trump’s decision to hire his own contractor to renovate the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool which is now teaming with algae
Recalling advice he often received from his late father, Biden told the audience that whenever life knocked him down, his father would simply say: ‘Get up, Joe!’
He used the story to rally supporters ahead of next year’s midterm election cycle.
‘To all you who love our country, my message tonight is straightforward and simple: Get up, dammit. Get up now. Continue this fight!’ Biden said.
He urged Democrats to continue working toward what he described as ‘the country we know we can be: fair, equal, honest, decent. A country where we give hate no safe harbor.’
Biden concluded with a familiar appeal for national unity and optimism.
‘We can do this, and we will,’ he told the crowd. ‘We just need to remember who in the hell we are. We’re the United States of America! There is nothing beyond our capacity if we work together!’
He then appeared confused as he tried to leave the stage, asking for directions.
The speech came more than two years after Biden ended his 2024 reelection campaign following widespread concern among Democrats over his debate performance against Trump.
Biden criticized Trump’s planned White House ballroom, describing it as a ‘vanity project’. Pictured, work continues on the construction of the ballroom at the White House
During Saturday’s appearance, Biden occasionally squinted toward the teleprompter, coughed several times early in the speech and spoke in a subdued tone for portions of his remarks.
Shouts from members of the audience briefly interrupted the event before Biden continued with his prepared address.
The former president made no reference to the ongoing ideological debate within the Democratic Party following victories by democratic socialist-backed candidates in several recent New York primary races.
Biden’s appearance also came as former first lady Jill Biden continues promoting her new book, in which she revealed that during her husband’s widely criticized 2024 debate performance she initially feared he might be suffering from ‘a stroke.’
