In a rare public address, former President Joe Biden issued a grave warning, suggesting that his successor, Donald Trump, intends to “steal” the upcoming midterm elections. Speaking in South Carolina while being honored for his extensive career in public service, Biden painted a somber picture for the nation, remarking that the United States faces “dark days” just hours before the Trump administration initiated military strikes against Iran.
Concerns Over Election Integrity
During his remarks at the Columbia Museum of Art, Biden resurrected a familiar refrain from his successful 2020 presidential campaign against Trump, declaring that the “battle for the soul of this nation is one that’s never really over.” He explicitly criticized President Trump’s proposals for more stringent voting requirements ahead of the midterm elections, characterizing them as a deliberate effort to suppress voter turnout.
“Here’s the good news,” Biden stated, emphasizing the enduring power of the electorate. “In America, the power still belongs to the people for now. And the way to show the power is vote, show up and vote. And folks, when we do that, that’s bad news for Donald Trump, and he knows it.” He further asserted, “That’s why he’s trying to pull out more and more barriers – put them up. He’s trying to steal the election, because he knows he can’t win your vote, so he’s going to do everything he can to prevent you from wanting to vote.”
Critiques of the Current Administration
The 83-year-old former president, who has maintained a low public profile since leaving office and undergoing treatment for an aggressive form of prostate cancer, did not touch upon his health. Instead, he directed his criticism toward several aspects of the current Trump administration. Biden notably lambasted Trump’s recent State of the Union address, particularly highlighting what he called a failure to acknowledge the fatal shootings of U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents during an immigration crackdown in Minneapolis this past January.
“He doesn’t mention Renee Good, Alex Pretti … [or] offer even a word of solace to their families,” Biden observed. He also pointed out Trump’s omission of any “word of support, even recognition” for the victims associated with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, noting Trump’s past connections to the disgraced financier who died in federal custody in 2019.
Political Climate and Public Opinion
Biden’s pointed comments come amidst persistent struggles for President Trump in public opinion. Polling data from earlier in February indicated that a significant majority of Americans disapprove of his performance in office, with another national survey revealing widespread belief that the country is headed in the wrong direction under his leadership.
It is recalled that Biden himself withdrew from the 2024 presidential race following a heavily criticized debate performance in June of that year. He subsequently endorsed then-Vice President Kamala Harris as his preferred successor, but ultimately, Trump emerged victorious in the general election, marking his return to the White House.
