Former President Joe Biden used a South Carolina stage Friday to deliver a sweeping rebuke of President Donald Trump, accusing him of trying to rewrite history and weaken America’s standing in the world.
According to Fox News, while speaking to a crowd of state Democrats gathered for a “thank you” event, Biden framed his remarks as a defense of national values, arguing that Trump’s policies and rhetoric go beyond political disagreements.
“It’s not just my record Trump’s trying to erase,” Biden said. “He’s trying to erase fairness, equity, history, the truth.”
The former president pointed to changes at museums and national parks, saying information about slavery has been removed or altered since Trump took office.
“Great nations don’t bury the truth,” Biden said. “They face it. This is a great nation.”
Biden’s comments referenced Trump’s past criticism of the Smithsonian, where the president wrote that “The Smithsonian is OUT OF CONTROL, where everything discussed is how horrible our Country is, how bad Slavery was, and how unaccomplished the downtrodden have been — Nothing about Success, nothing about Brightness, nothing about the Future.”
Trump also ordered a review of the institution to ensure exhibits highlight “American exceptionalism.”
The 83-year-old Democrat warned that the country is living in “dark days” and urged supporters to remain politically engaged ahead of the midterm elections.
“Our future is literally on the line,” he said. “We have to be unapologetic about fighting for our country.”
Biden claimed Trump is attempting to suppress voter participation, telling the audience, “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. … Mark my words. I hope I’m wrong.”
He also argued that public opinion is shifting.
“The more they see of him, the less they like him,” Biden said, citing health care costs and immigration enforcement actions as points of contention.
“They don’t believe the president should be king or dictator,” he added, predicting Democrats would regain control of both chambers of Congress in November.
Turning to foreign policy, Biden said America’s global reputation has declined, referencing a Pew Research poll that he said showed a “dramatic drop in our reputation around the world.”
“We’re no longer the way we were,” he said, warning that if the United States fails to lead, “it could be Russia or China” that fills the void.
Biden also criticized Trump’s recent State of the Union address, saying the president omitted key issues.
“The guy talks for almost two hours but never mentioned the anniversary of Putin invading Ukraine,” Biden said. “Never once.”
He added that Trump failed to acknowledge Americans killed by ICE agents in Minneapolis and did not recognize Epstein survivors who were present in the chamber.
“He doesn’t offer a word of support, even recognition to Epstein’s victims sitting in front of him during the entire time,” Biden said.
