This week, President Biden took a page from former President Donald J. Trump’s playbook by taunting his opponent with insults about his hair, energy levels, and legal troubles. The barbs from Biden signal a shift from his previous approach of referring to Trump as “the former guy.”
At a recent fund-raiser, Biden didn’t hold back, accusing Trump of lying about Covid and making outlandish suggestions like injecting bleach. He even joked about Trump injecting bleach into his hair. Biden’s spokesman emphasized that these lines are not scripted jokes but come directly from the president himself.
Biden’s strategy is to hit Trump where it hurts, targeting his appearance, policies, and legal troubles. While Biden refrains from directly discussing Trump’s legal issues, he uses subtle jabs to highlight the contrast between their schedules and priorities.
Despite Biden’s attempts to redefine the narrative, it remains to be seen if these tactics will sway voters who have already made up their minds. Recent polls show Trump leading in battleground states, despite his legal challenges.
Biden’s campaign has also faced criticism for his own gaffes and misstatements, such as claiming he drove an 18-wheeler truck and recounting a questionable story about his uncle. However, his advisers quickly pivot these errors back onto Trump, highlighting his derogatory remarks about military veterans.
Biden’s team emphasizes that their goal is not just to mock Trump but to draw attention to policy differences and draw a clear distinction between the two candidates. During a recent campaign speech in Florida, Biden focused on linking Trump to restrictive abortion laws and reproductive health care policies.
In his speech, Biden repeatedly mentioned Trump’s name while advocating for the protection of Roe v. Wade. He also took a jab at Trump’s attempt to sell copies of the Bible, jokingly questioning the contents of the book.
While some of Biden’s attacks may have missed the mark, his campaign remains focused on highlighting the differences between him and Trump as the election season heats up.
