Former US President Joe Biden has strongly criticized his successor, President Donald Trump, telling a room of supporters that Trump has dealt a "devastating blow" to American democracy.
During a gala evening organized by the Nebraska Democratic Party in Omaha, Biden said:
“I knew Trump was going to throw a party that was going to be devastating, but I had no idea, I have to admit, I had no idea it was going to be a real party that was going to be devastating.” He was referring to the demolition of the East Wing of the White House to build a 90,000-square-foot ballroom. “It’s a perfect symbol of his presidency,” Biden added.
The former president stressed that Trump has dealt a devastating blow not only to the White House, but also to the Constitution, the rule of law and American democracy itself. He also ironically referred to Trump's repeated statements that his second term had brought "a golden age" to the country.
At several points during his speech, Biden addressed Trump directly, saying:
“Frankly, you are acting in a way that shames us as a nation.” He added: “You work for us, Mr. President. We don’t work for you. You work for us, not just billionaires and millionaires. I am angry.”
Biden also discussed his personal experience with being diagnosed with prostate cancer. He linked the experience to the importance of healthcare for American citizens, saying, “I thank God for the doctors and nurses and the incredible advances we are making in cancer research.”
The former president also criticized the policies of Trump and his Republican allies, stating that they are cutting government funding for health care and making it more expensive for almost all citizens.
