Biden Critiques Trump on Historical Erasure and Election Integrity

Former President Joe Biden, speaking in South Carolina on Friday, charged President Donald Trump with attempting to “erase the truth” and squander the United States’ standing as a global leader.

Biden remarked, “It’s not just my record that Trump is trying to wipe away,” referring to efforts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. He emphasized, “He’s trying to erase fairness, equity, history, and truth,” pointing to instances where narratives about slavery have been altered or lessened in museums and national parks since Trump’s tenure began.

“Powerful nations don’t shy away from the truth,” Biden highlighted, insisting, “They confront it. This is a great country.”

He recalled a statement from Trump last summer, where Trump criticized the Smithsonian Institution for what he called an obsessive focus on America’s negative aspects, like slavery, while neglecting narratives of success and progress.

At the event, which celebrates support for his past campaign efforts, Biden characterized the current era as “dark days” for the nation.

“Our future is literally at stake,” he asserted. “We must remain unapologetic in fighting for our country.”

Biden raised alarms about the upcoming midterm elections, suggesting Trump is “trying to steal the election” as he seems to understand he can’t secure enough votes. “He’s going to do everything he can to make sure you don’t want to vote… Mark my words. I hope I’m wrong,” he added.

In his view, as voters learn more about Trump, their feelings towards him become increasingly negative.

“They don’t appreciate that he’s raising health care costs and opposing the Affordable Care Act,” Biden commented, “and they’re definitely troubled by the actions of ICE agents in Minnesota, where two people lost their lives.”

Biden, now 83, insisted that Americans don’t believe the presidency should function as a monarchy or dictatorship, hinting that this sentiment is leading to unexpected Democratic wins in certain areas.

“There’s reason to hope,” he reflected. Historically, during crises, Americans often find a better path to save the nation.

He was optimistic, predicting Democrats would regain control of both the Senate and the House in the upcoming November elections.

Biden expressed confidence in his relationships with world leaders, stating, “Americans knew they had a president who believed in, respected, and abided by the Constitution.” He referenced a Pew Research poll indicating a significant decline in America’s global standing, mentioning the risk of allowing Russia or China to take the lead if the U.S. falters.

Furthermore, he rebuked Trump for his State of the Union address, which he said failed to recognize the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine or acknowledge the recent violence involving ICE agents, stating that Trump offered no condolences to the victims’ families.

“He didn’t even mention the Epstein survivors present during his speech,” Biden lamented, criticizing the lack of empathy shown by Trump. The White House has yet to respond to these remarks.