Former President Joe Biden returned to the political stage Friday with a sharp critique of President Donald Trump, using a South Carolina appearance to question his successor’s leadership and highlight slipping public approval ratings.
Speaking at a fundraising event hosted by the South Carolina Democratic Party at the Columbia Museum of Art, Biden delivered a combative 20-minute address that blended policy defense with pointed attacks on Trump’s recent State of the Union speech.
“Is he still talking?” Biden quipped, drawing laughter as he referenced Trump’s nearly two-hour address earlier in the week.
Sharp Criticism Over Leadership and Tone
Biden accused Trump of focusing on personal grievances rather than national priorities, claiming the president maintains a “weird obsession” with former President Barack Obama. He also alleged that Trump is attempting to undermine election processes ahead of the midterms by supporting measures that could restrict voting access.
“There’s something wrong with this guy,” Biden said bluntly, escalating his criticism beyond policy disagreements.
The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Addressing Immigration Enforcement Controversy
The former president’s tone grew somber as he addressed a recent immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota that resulted in the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Biden criticized Trump for not acknowledging the incident during his State of the Union speech or offering condolences to the victims’ families.
“These are dark days,” Biden told the audience, arguing that national leaders must show empathy during moments of tragedy.
The Minnesota case has intensified debate over federal immigration enforcement practices, an issue that remains central to Trump’s second term.
Defending His Record on Immigration and the Economy
Immigration policy played a decisive role in the 2024 presidential election, with Trump capitalizing on voter frustration over border security. During Biden’s first term, record levels of migration strained federal and local resources, drawing bipartisan criticism.
In his remarks, Biden defended his administration’s handling of the border, asserting that crossings were lower at the end of his presidency than when he took office.
“That’s just a fact,” he said, attributing global migration spikes in part to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Biden also highlighted domestic achievements from his presidency, including efforts to cap insulin prices, challenge pharmaceutical companies, and expand job growth. He contrasted those initiatives with what he described as Trump’s rollback of progress and declining U.S. standing abroad.
South Carolina’s Political Significance
The event carried symbolic weight for Biden. South Carolina’s decisive Democratic primary in 2020 revived his campaign after early losses in Iowa and New Hampshire, positioning him for the party’s nomination and eventual victory.
“I knew if I won the nomination, I’d win the presidency,” Biden said, praising the state’s Democratic voters. “South Carolina picks presidents.”
As Democrats look ahead to 2028, South Carolina is working to maintain its early-primary status, a move Biden did not explicitly endorse but appeared to support through his remarks.
A Re-Emergence Amid Political Headwinds
Biden largely stayed out of the spotlight after leaving office in 2025, amid criticism from some Democrats over his decision to initially pursue a second term before stepping aside late in the campaign cycle. His withdrawal gave then–Vice President Kamala Harris just over three months to mount a general election bid.
Now, one year into Trump’s second presidency, Biden is re-engaging publicly at a time when polls show mixed public sentiment about the administration’s immigration and border enforcement policies.
A recent national survey found that a majority of respondents disapprove of Trump’s handling of immigration enforcement following the Minnesota incident, signaling potential vulnerabilities for the White House as midterm elections approach.
Biden’s South Carolina speech suggests he intends to remain an influential voice within the Democratic Party — and a vocal critic of his successor — as the political landscape shifts once again.
