Former President Joe Biden, while addressing Maryland Democrats at a state party fundraiser on Saturday night, characterized his successor, President Donald Trump, as vain and corrupt. Speaking to an audience at a Maryland casino, Biden criticized Trump for what he described as vanity projects, including alterations to the East Wing of the White House to expand a ballroom, adding his name to the Kennedy Center, and constructing an arch in his own honor. “Woah! What a loser,” Biden remarked to the attendees.
Biden continued his 10-minute speech by accusing the current administration of deep-seated issues, stating that the reflecting pool incident highlights something worse than mere narcissism. He explicitly cited what he termed “brazen, blatant corruption” on a scale unprecedented in American history. This address serves as one of his most pointed critiques of Trump since he left office and arrived exactly two years after his own presidential debate against Trump on CNN, a pivotal moment that altered the course of his political legacy.
The former president also voiced his anger regarding Trump’s stated desire to use taxpayer money to compensate January 6th insurrectionists. Biden argued that those individuals do not deserve financial support and instead merit lengthy prison sentences. Since leaving the White House, Biden has traveled to South Dakota, Delaware, and Maryland to rally party members, though he navigates a complex post-presidency. Recent polling by SSRS indicates that only 30% of the public holds a favorable view of Biden, a historic low.
Political tensions have been heightened by the reemergence of the Biden family, including former first lady Dr. Jill Biden’s memoir tour, which sparked friction with some Democrats over the 2024 election. Hunter Biden has also maintained a high public profile, boasting more than 800,000 followers on X and discussing his father’s decision to pardon him during various interviews, including a sit-down on California Governor Gavin Newsom’s podcast. Hunter noted that his father chose him over his own legacy by issuing the pardon.
While Biden prepares his own memoir, his presidential library project remains in the early stages compared to the $850 million center established for Barack Obama. As he continues to fundraise, the 83-year-old former president also faces a battle with prostate cancer that has metastasized to the bones, requiring ongoing radiation and hormone therapy. Despite these personal challenges, he has endorsed candidates like Keisha Lance Bottoms in Georgia and Dan Koh in Massachusetts.
At the Maryland event, Governor Wes Moore and Senator Chris Van Hollen—both considered potential 2028 presidential hopefuls—met with Biden. Moore praised Biden’s federal support following the 2024 collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, stating that the former president helped the city heal. While some attendees, such as Baltimore resident Adrienne Green, expressed that it may be time for a new generation of leadership, others like Representative Sarah McBride defended the value of Biden’s ongoing participation.
Concluding his speech, Biden urged those in attendance to remain resilient despite being out of power. “To all you who love our country, my message tonight is straightforward and simple: Get up, dammit. Get up now. Continue this fight!” he declared to the crowd.
