Two years after debate debacle, Biden calls Trump 'a loser' at Democratic fundraiser

Former US President Joe Biden lashed out at incumbent President Donald Trump on Saturday, calling him "What a loser."

According to US media including CNN, Biden made the remarks at a Democratic Party fundraiser held at a casino in Maryland on Saturday, citing various projects Trump has pursued since taking office.

"This isn't just a project to feed his vanity. He's tearing down the East Wing of the White House to build his own ballroom, putting his name on the Kennedy Center, and he even hired his own pool guy to fix the Reflecting Pool," Biden said. "What a loser."

He then said the Reflecting Pool "reflects something far worse than the narcissism and incompetence at the core of this administration," adding, "It's corruption. Brazen, blatant corruption. Corruption on a scale we've never seen in any administration in American history."

Biden also took aim at Trump's proposed "victim compensation fund" for participants in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. "What makes me angry is that Trump wants to give taxpayer money — your money — to the people who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6. That's what he wants to do," Biden said. "These people don't deserve to be compensated. They deserve to be locked up for a long time."

The timing of Biden's broadside was notable: it came exactly two years after the two men faced off in the 2024 presidential debate.

At that debate, held in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 27, 2024, Biden repeatedly stumbled over his words, made off-topic remarks, and at times stared blankly while Trump was speaking.

The disastrous performance triggered intense calls within the Democratic Party to replace him as the nominee. Biden ultimately announced on July 24 of that year that he would not seek reelection.

CNN described Biden's Saturday speech as "one of the most direct criticisms" of Trump since he left office, noting it ran about 10 minutes.

Over the past month, Biden has accepted invitations to Democratic events in Maryland, South Dakota and his home state of Delaware, and has not held back in criticizing Trump.

His renewed outspokenness coincides with a broader re-emergence of his family on the American political stage.

His wife, Jill Biden, has been making media appearances and going on a promotional tour since late last month for her memoir "Perspectives from the East Wing." His son Hunter — long dogged by controversy — has reinvented himself as a social media influencer with a large following and has been appearing on various podcasts since last month.

Biden is currently battling cancer. After leaving office, he disclosed in May last year that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, and in September of that year he underwent surgery to remove skin cancer cells.

Despite facing criticism from some within the Democratic Party over his conduct during the 2024 campaign, Biden has been stepping up his political activity ahead of the November midterm elections — publicly endorsing Democratic candidates from his administration and meeting with figures such as Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, who is mentioned as a potential 2028 presidential contender.

In his Saturday speech, Biden said he was "still fighting" for the party.

"To all of you who love this country, my message on the night of Monday, June 29, is clear and simple," he said. "Get up. Get the hell up. Keep fighting." The remarks drew applause from the crowd, CNN reported.