Former President Joe Biden branded Donald Trump a 'loser' during a speech at a Maryland Democrats gala, as Trump's approval rating dropped to 30% — the lowest of his second term. Biden targeted Trump's costly construction projects, including the $400 million East Wing Modernization Project and the $16 million Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovation.
Biden attacks Trump's 'vanity projects'
Speaking to cheering Democratic attendees, Biden said: 'Tearing down the East Wing of the White House, making room for his ballroom? Putting his name on the Kennedy Center. Building an arch in his own honor. Even hiring his own pool guy to fix the reflecting pool.' He then declared: 'Whoa, what a loser.'
The East Wing project involves demolishing the historic 90,000-square-foot structure and replacing it with a 1,000-capacity ballroom. The reflecting pool renovation, which Trump claimed was bigger than the Empire State Building, drew criticism after a duckling was found dead in the pool following the use of hydrogen peroxide. Former Olympic athlete David Hearn, 67, was arrested for touching the pool's liner and charged with destruction of government property.
Corruption allegations
Biden accused Trump of 'brazen, blatant corruption,' citing a $1.7 million no-bid filtration system contract awarded to a Trump donor and neighbor of Mar-a-Lago. Trump referred to the donor as his 'pool guy.' Biden stated this 'reflects something even worse than the narcissism and incompetence at the core of this administration — it's the corruption, on a scale never seen before in American history.'
Biden also claimed the Trump family is cashing in on his second term through merchandise deals and hosting events at Trump properties. The White House dismissed the accusations as 'the same, tired narrative,' with spokesperson Anna Kelly saying Trump 'only acts in the best interests of the American public' and that 'there are no conflicts of interest.'
Biden's closing remarks
In his 10-minute speech, Biden added: 'He has no shame, and frankly it's embarrassing for the country. But Trump? Trump could care less.' The event highlighted deepening political divisions as the US approaches its 250th birthday.
