Former US President Joe Biden appeared to briefly struggle to find the right way to walk off the stage after delivering a fiery speech attacking President Donald Trump at the Maryland Democratic Party’s Fight Back and Win summit on Saturday.At the conclusion of his remarks, Biden looked to the edge of the stage for guidance, pointed in two different directions seeking confirmation, and then turned his back to the audience and exited after being shown the correct path.The moment came as the 83-year-old defended his presidency and launched one of his strongest public attacks on Trump since leaving office.During his speech at the event near Baltimore, Biden criticized Trump’s foreign and domestic policies, accusing him of pursuing “vanity projects” and corruption.“It’s not just his vanity projects — tearing down the East Wing of the White House to make room for his ballroom. Putting his name on the Kennedy Center. Building an arch in his honor. Even hiring his own pool guy to fix the reflecting pool. Wow — what a loser,” Biden said.
Biden intensified criticism of Trump
According to CNN, the 10-minute speech is one of Biden’s sharpest criticisms of Trump since leaving office. He accused the current administration of corruption and criticized plans to compensate those involved in the January 6 Capitol riot.“The reflecting pool reflects something worse than the narcissism and incompetence at the core of this administration,” Biden said. “This is corruption, corruption, brazen, blatant corruption. Corruption on this scale has never been seen before in any administration in American history.”Biden also urged Democrats to stay engaged despite being out of power.“To all of you who love our country, my message tonight is plain and simple: Get up, damn you. get up now. Keep this fight going!” he told supporters.
A few days later another moment comes on the stage
The appearance followed another widely discussed public event earlier in the week, the inauguration of former President Barack Obama’s presidential library in Chicago, where, according to the New York Post, Biden looked uncertain at the end of the ceremony and called out, “Where’s my granddaughter?” Before being directed by former first lady Jill Biden.Biden relied on a teleprompter during Saturday’s speech, coughing several times at the beginning of his remarks and occasionally squinting while reading.
Former president remains active despite health battle
Biden has continued to make public appearances and speak at Democratic events, even as he faces a difficult period of his presidency.Many Democrats are disappointed with his handling of the 2024 election, with recent polling showing his favorability is at its lowest level since leaving office.The former president is also being treated for stage 4 prostate cancer that has spread to his bones.He is receiving radiation and hormone therapy, as well as working on his presidential memoir and continuing efforts to raise funds for his future presidential library.Before Saturday’s speech, Biden met with Maryland Governor Wes Moore and Senator Chris Van Hollen, both considered potential Democratic contenders for the 2028 presidential election.