In a rare public appearance, former President Joe Biden issued a stark warning regarding the future of American democracy, asserting that his successor, Donald Trump, intends to “steal” the upcoming midterm elections. Speaking in South Carolina, where he was honored for his extensive career in public service, Biden painted a picture of “dark days ahead” for the United States. These significant remarks were delivered just hours before the Trump administration initiated military actions against Iran.
Revisiting the central theme of his victorious 2020 campaign, which saw him defeat Trump and conclude his first term, Biden told the audience at the Columbia Museum of Art that the “battle for the soul of this nation is one that’s never really over.” He specifically voiced strong criticism of Trump’s proposals to implement more stringent voting requirements in anticipation of the midterm elections.
“Here’s the good news,” Biden continued, emphasizing the enduring power of the populace. “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 elaborated on his concerns, stating that Trump is “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.”
The 83-year-old Biden has maintained a notably low profile since departing office and undergoing treatment for an aggressive form of prostate cancer. During his Friday address, he refrained from discussing his health, instead concentrating his critique on Trump’s recent State of the Union speech. He also condemned an immigration enforcement operation in January where federal agents fatally shot U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.
“He doesn’t mention Renee Good, Alex Pretti… [or] offer even a word of solace to their families,” Biden noted. He also highlighted Trump’s failure to provide “a word of support, even recognition” in his address for victims connected to the late disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, with whom Trump had high-profile associations in previous years.
Biden’s speech coincides with a period of persistently low approval ratings for the current Trump administration. Polling data from early February revealed that a majority of Americans disapprove of Trump’s performance in office, while another national survey indicated that most adults believe the country is headed in the wrong direction under his leadership.
Biden had previously withdrawn from the 2024 presidential race following a widely criticized debate performance in June of that year. He had subsequently endorsed then Vice-President Kamala Harris as his preferred successor, though Trump ultimately triumphed over her in the general election, securing his return to the White House.
