Former President Joe Biden was briefly heckled while delivering the keynote address at a Maryland Democratic Party gala Saturday night, during which he attacked President Donald Trump and defended his record in office.
Barely a few minutes into his speech, as he discussed how the story of America features a “constant push and pull between peril and possibility,” attendees began jeering loudly at Biden, who continued speaking as the interruption eventually subsided. Biden continued his speech without interruption, and it was unclear what the disruptors said or why they shouted.
Biden claimed in his speech that the Democratic Party has overperformed nationwide in recent races against the GOP, noting that Democrats won gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia last November. He also attacked Trump for his handling of the economy, saying, “Have you noticed Americans today are saying the economy under the Biden administration was a hell of a lot better than under Trump?”
Gov. Wes Moore (D-MD) also spoke at the event, attacking Trump for his handling of the Iran war and firing Marylanders from the federal government. The “Fight Back & Win” summit was held to help Democrats prepare for November’s midterm elections, and Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) was also in attendance.
Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential election after a June debate performance intensified concerns about his age and ability to serve. Then-Vice President Kamala Harris replaced Biden as the Democratic nominee before losing to Trump in November.
Biden listed Trump’s White House ballroom and drama over the Kennedy Center and Reflecting Pool as evidence that he’s diminished the U.S.’s standing in the eyes of the world “more than any president in history has.”
“It’s not just his vanity project tearing down the East Wing of the White House, making room for his ballroom,” Biden said. “Putting his name on the Kennedy Center, building an arch in his own honor, and even hiring his own pool guy to fix the Reflecting Pool. Whoa, what a loser!”
The event marked a rare public appearance for Biden, though several members of his family have drawn attention in recent weeks.
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Former first lady Jill Biden recently embarked on a media tour to promote her new book, while their son, Hunter Biden, has appeared on multiple podcasts and created a viral social media campaign.
The former president ended his speech with a call-to-action, telling the crowd to “get up” and “fight back” to scattered applause.