Former President Biden Addresses Nebraska Democrats

On Friday, former President Joe Biden spoke to the Nebraska Democratic Party, declaring that the state is “back” after significant victories in recent elections. He didn’t hold back in criticizing President Donald Trump, accusing him of undermining the Constitution and slashing healthcare and food assistance for millions of Americans.

Biden, who is 82 years old, delivered remarks at the Nebraska Democratic Party’s Ben Nelson Gala in Omaha. During his speech, he called on Republicans to end the government shutdown and reflected on his late son Beau, suggesting he would have made a better president than himself.

“Democrats are back. That’s no exaggeration,” Biden declared. “Have you seen the election results?”

In notable state-level races, Democrats like Rep. Mikie Sherrill and former Rep. Abigail Spanberger secured gubernatorial wins, and Zoran Mamdani triumphed in the New York mayoral race. This is particularly striking because it comes a year after former Vice President Kamala Harris faced a narrow defeat against Trump.

Harris is now regarded as a leading contender for the 2024 Democratic presidential nomination following Biden’s withdrawal from the race after a notable debate with Trump.

“The American people are sending a message to President Trump and his supporters,” Biden said, further accusing Trump of overstepping democratic boundaries and catering to the wealthy.

“Mr. President, you work for us. We don’t work for you,” he emphasized, noting that democracy is about serving the people, not just billionaires. “In a democracy, there is no king. But your actions are embarrassing our nation.”

Biden drew attention to the cuts in health care programs under Trump’s administration, predicting the closure of over 300 rural hospitals across the U.S., including two in Nebraska.

Biden also commented on how late-night hosts, who often critique Trump, understand the stakes of their careers. He expressed strong disapproval of Trump’s initiatives, describing them as “immoral” and “un-American.”

Suffering from stage 4 prostate cancer, Biden acknowledged his own health struggles during his speech, sharing how cancer has affected his family. He recounted his son Beau’s battle with glioblastoma after serving in Iraq and expressed deep emotional resonance with families experiencing similar challenges.

In a pointed critique, Biden took aim at Trump’s plans for a new ballroom in the White House following the demolition of the East Wing. He stated this project represents a broader disregard for the foundational values of democracy.

Biden remarked, “When I left office, President Trump was swinging a wrecking ball at our country—not just literally but symbolically, impacting the Constitution and our democratic ideals.”

He accused Trump of exacerbating food insecurity, pointing out that “one in five children goes to bed hungry every night.” Biden illustrated this by criticizing Trump’s extravagant Halloween party juxtaposed with cuts in food aid, which underscored a stark contrast in priorities.

Biden concluded with a biting remark about the recent political climate, saying, “On Friday, we dressed like the wealthy from the Roaring Twenties, and on Saturday, we cut aid to 40 million Americans.”

The White House did not provide immediate comments on Biden’s remarks.