Former Staffer Critiques Trump’s Campaign and Biden’s Legacy
A former staff member from Biden’s campaign has pointed fingers at Donald Trump regarding the state of affairs as President Biden seeks to revitalize his political reputation, as reported by New York Magazine.
“It’s tough to overlook the fact that he’s a big part of the mess we’re experiencing right now,” the ex-aide said. “His arrogance has cost us dearly. While he did achieve some real wins for the nation, it’s all kind of overshadowed now.”
The article, published recently, highlighted Biden’s participation in the South Dakota Democratic Party’s McGovern Day Dinner on June 5. The 83-year-old addressed a crowd of around 1,200 Democrats at a Best Western near the airport.
Biden took that opportunity to criticize Trump, explaining that he had to exit early for his goddaughter’s wedding. “So when I run off the stage, it’s not that I’m afraid of the crowd,” he noted.
Reportedly, Biden spoke in a quiet voice, occasionally raised his tone, and sometimes found it hard to stay on track, yet he was met with warm applause from the Democratic audience. He referred to Trump as “the most corrupt president in American history.”
This event was a part of what the magazine described as an “assertive campaign” by Biden’s family and supporters to remind Americans that his presidency should be remembered for more than just a loss to Trump.
Meanwhile, Rufus Gifford, who was Biden’s finance chairman during the campaign, expressed that Democrats are gradually looking past the election. “I feel less weighed down by the past every day,” Gifford shared. “It’s not a total fix, but the weight feels lighter, and I think about those better times.”
Others in the party have voiced concerns over Biden’s reemergence. David Axelrod, a veteran advisor to Obama, cautioned that Biden’s return might bring back memories of why Democrats decided to sideline him.
“Putting him back in the spotlight could remind voters of why he had to step aside,” Axelrod remarked.
Tommy Vieter, a former Obama press secretary, criticized the narrative framed by Biden and his team regarding the 2024 fallout, stating, “He views himself as a victim of circumstance but overlooks how his actions have impacted the country.”
Former First Lady Jill Biden also resurfaced in the public domain with her memoir, “View From the East Wing,” released in early June. During an event in Washington, D.C., she responded to former spokesperson Andrew Bates, questioning the need to revisit the painful discussions from 2024. “I want to tell Andrew, ‘You should say that to my face,’” she remarked.
Hunter Biden chimed in, defending his father, declaring, “They haven’t really grasped who Joe Biden is.” In a related health update, Biden’s office revealed in May 2025 that he was diagnosed with an aggressive prostate cancer that had spread to his bones.
