Former President Joe Biden delivered a strong critique of President Donald Trump on Saturday night, labeling him a "loser" and accusing him of corruption and pursuing "vanity projects" during a speech at the Maryland Democratic Party's Fight Back & Win Summit.
Speaking from a teleprompter at the Live! Casino & Hotel in Hanover, Maryland, the 83-year-old Biden repeatedly assailed Trump's record, asserting that the former president had damaged the nation's standing both domestically and internationally.
"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 audience, drawing applause. He claimed that Trump had weakened American alliances, citing the "destruction of NATO," and accused him of enriching himself while in office, describing his conduct as "corruption on a scale never seen before."
Biden specifically targeted several projects associated with Trump, including proposals for a White House ballroom, placing Trump's name on the Kennedy Center, building an arch in his own honor, and hiring a private contractor to repair the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. "It's not just his vanity projects," Biden stated before calling Trump "a loser."
Throughout the address, Biden was forced to pause several times as members of the audience shouted heckles. He also coughed on occasion and spoke in a subdued tone during parts of his remarks. The appearance marked one of Biden's more prominent public speeches in recent weeks.
Despite the interruptions and criticism of Trump, a significant portion of Biden's speech focused on urging Democrats not to lose heart following recent political setbacks. Recalling advice from his late father, Biden encouraged supporters to remain resilient and continue their efforts.
"To all you who love our country, my message tonight is straightforward and simple: Get up, dammit. Get up now. Continue this fight!" Biden declared. He called for Democrats to work towards creating a nation that is "fair, equal, honest, decent. A country where we give hate no safe harbor."
Biden concluded by appealing for national unity and optimism, stating, "We can do this, and we will. 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!"
Following his remarks, Biden appeared to be confused as he attempted to leave the stage, reportedly asking for directions. The speech occurred more than two years after Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential campaign amid concerns over his debate performance against Trump. Biden's wife, Jill Biden, recently revealed in her new book that she initially feared her husband might have suffered a stroke during that criticized debate.