Donald Trump settles into his second term as president, and his focus on his predecessor, Joe Biden, has remained unwavering. Despite America’s focus shifting to current issues, Trump continues to invoke Biden, often using him as a political punching bag. While the nation may have moved on, Trump has not.
Since January 20, Trump has spoken Biden’s name countless times. Whether in speeches, social media posts, or casual conversations, Biden remains a key figure in Trump’s rhetoric. Even though Biden has already withdrawn from the 2024 race and left the White House, Trump’s repeated invocations of Biden reveal an ongoing political strategy to keep his predecessor in the public eye.
As Trump nears his 100th day in office, Biden’s name continues to be a central figure in his speeches. At the White House’s annual Easter Egg Roll, Trump couldn’t resist mocking Biden over an incident that many may have forgotten or never noticed. Referring to the time in 2021 when Biden was directed by an aide dressed as a bunny, Trump made sure to bring up the moment. “Do you remember the bunny with Joe Biden?” he asked the crowd. “Do you remember when the bunny took Joe Biden out? He’s not taking Trump out.”
This constant referencing of Biden serves more than a personal vendetta—it is a tactical move that allows Trump to keep his base engaged. He knows that Biden is a polarising figure, and by repeatedly bringing him up, he holds the focus on the former president’s perceived failures. By doing so, Trump diverts attention away from his own administration’s shortcomings, portraying Biden as an incompetent leader.
Biden has become Trump’s ultimate foil. While Trump touts his leadership in areas like border security, inflation, and jobs, Biden is frequently cast as the villain in Trump’s narrative. White House spokesperson Liz Huston highlighted how Trump has spent his first three months in office addressing what he describes as the mess left by Biden. “Under President Trump’s leadership, the border is secure, inflation is cooling, jobs are up, and common sense is restored,” Huston claimed.
Yet, Trump’s grievances with Biden extend far beyond policy. The former president continues to assert that he “legitimately won” the 2020 election, painting Biden as a “presidential impostor.” Trump has made it clear that he believes Biden’s victory was illegitimate, accusing the Democrats of rigging the election. This narrative, despite being refuted by courts and election officials, remains a central theme in Trump’s speeches.
Trump’s criticisms of Biden are wide-ranging. On the foreign policy front, Trump has called Biden’s handling of the Russia-Ukraine war a “disaster.” He has also blamed Biden for the strained relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, claiming that Putin felt emboldened to wage war because of Biden’s weakness. Trump’s words suggest that, in his view, Biden’s failures on the global stage have hurt America’s standing and have contributed to the ongoing conflict.
Domestically, Trump has made his dissatisfaction with Biden’s leadership clear. He has described Biden’s presidency in harsh terms, calling him “pathetic,” “sad,” “incompetent,” and “the worst president in history.” These inflammatory remarks are designed to paint Biden as the antithesis of what Trump believes a leader should be. In contrast, Trump positions himself as the answer to America’s struggles.
Beyond policy and political issues, Trump’s focus on Biden even extends to trivial matters. In February, he offered to build a new ballroom for the White House, an extravagant project estimated to cost $100 million. However, Trump claimed that the Biden administration ignored his offer. Whether this offer is true or not, it serves as another example of Trump’s ongoing effort to highlight Biden’s failures, real or imagined.
The strategy of using Biden as a constant punching bag is not a new one. During his first term, Trump frequently mentioned Hillary Clinton, despite her loss in the 2016 election. Michael Dubke, a former White House communications director, noted that Trump often used Clinton as a foil to cast himself as the person who would fix what she and her administration allegedly broke. This same logic appears to apply to Trump’s constant references to Biden. Even though Biden is no longer in office, Trump continues to use him as a symbol of what he believes is wrong with America.
Trump’s focus on Biden may also serve a deeper psychological purpose. By continuing to attack Biden, Trump is able to reinforce the idea that he is the solution to America’s problems. As presidential historian Douglas Brinkley pointed out, Trump may be trying to elevate himself in the historical rankings by diminishing Biden’s legacy. By painting Biden as a “false president,” Trump aims to cast doubt on Biden’s place in history, thereby securing a more favorable position for himself.
The numbers provide further insight into Trump’s strategy. According to an NBC News analysis, Trump has mentioned Biden, his family, or his administration at least 580 times in public remarks. That averages out to six mentions per day of his presidency. By contrast, Biden mentioned Trump only 29 times in his first 100 days as president, and even then, he did so reluctantly.
Trump’s frequent references to Biden aren’t just limited to public speeches. His aides and officials have also joined in. Trump’s White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, has mentioned Biden 78 times in her 16 briefings. Even Trump’s Cabinet members have weighed in. During a televised Cabinet meeting in April, officials took the opportunity to criticise the Biden administration’s policies, further driving home Trump’s narrative.
The media also fuel Trump’s continued focus on Biden. Conservative news outlets often provide fresh opportunities for Trump to attack his predecessor. For instance, at a joint press conference with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a reporter from The Gateway Pundit asked Modi whether he was more confident in a successful relationship with the United States under Trump rather than Biden’s “incompetence and weakness.” Trump immediately agreed with the sentiment, reinforcing his narrative that Biden’s presidency was a failure.
While Trump’s obsession with Biden has been a key part of his political strategy, there are signs that this tactic may lose its effectiveness as time goes on. As Republican pollster Whit Ayres pointed out, it becomes harder to blame a predecessor for problems as time passes. The longer Trump is in office, the more difficult it will be to maintain the focus on Biden without appearing to shift the blame away from his own administration’s policies.
In conclusion, Trump’s fixation with Biden is a central feature of his presidency. Whether criticising Biden’s handling of foreign policy, domestic issues, or even personal matters, Trump keeps his predecessor in the public eye. While this strategy has served him well in the past, its long-term effectiveness remains uncertain. As time passes and new challenges arise, Trump may find it increasingly difficult to blame Biden for America’s problems.
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Jon King is an experienced journalist with 3 years of experience in the field. With a strong background in investigative reporting, Jon is known for his in-depth coverage of crime news, finance news, local news, and USA news. Currently working with Mikeandjonpodcast, Jon brings his sharp investigative skills, where he provides timely updates and analysis on a wide range of topics. His commitment to delivering accurate and impactful news has earned him a reputation for providing insightful and comprehensive stories that resonate with his audience.
