President Joe Biden delivered a pointed critique of former President Donald Trump during a speech in South Carolina, highlighting Trump’s declining favorability and accusing him of ignoring critical national issues. The speech, given in Columbia on Friday, came as Biden addressed a gathering of political leaders and donors and marked a rare moment of nationalistic rhetoric from the president, who has largely avoided such tones in recent months.

Attack on Trump’s State of the Union Address

Biden mocked Trump’s recent State of the Union address, which lasted 1 hour and 47 minutes, by asking, ‘Is he still talking?’ to laughter from the audience. The remark was one of the mildest criticisms Biden leveled at Trump, who has faced mounting scrutiny over his handling of immigration and other key issues.

Biden accused Trump of having a ‘weird obsession’ with former President Barack Obama and of attempting to ‘steal the election’ by putting up roadblocks to voting in the midterms. He also said, ‘There’s something wrong with this guy,’ a reference to the former president’s policies and conduct.

Focus on Immigration and National Security

Biden spoke about the surge in immigration in Minnesota that led to the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti. He called the situation ‘awful days’ and criticized Trump for not mentioning the victims during his State of the Union address.

‘He doesn’t mention Renee Good, Alex Pretti who were killed by Minnesota ICE,’ Biden said, appearing to mispronounce Pretti’s last name. ‘He doesn’t offer a connection of support, nor mention Epstein’s victims sitting in front of him.’

Political Strategy and South Carolina’s Role

Biden emphasized South Carolina’s significance in presidential elections, stating that he knew if he won the nomination, he would triumph the presidency. ‘South Carolina picks presidents,’ he said, referencing the state’s key role in the 2020 election, where he secured a decisive victory over Senator Bernie Sanders.

With the 2028 election approaching, South Carolina is attempting to reclaim its status as a key primary state. Biden, though not explicitly asking for support, made a case for the state’s importance in shaping the next administration.

Biden’s return to South Carolina comes after a year into a second Trump presidency, during which he has criticized the former president’s policies on immigration and national security. He highlighted his own achievements, including capping the costs of insulin and promoting job growth, while accusing Trump of undermining the country’s global standing.

Trump won the 2024 election in part due to voter discontent with Biden’s handling of immigration. Under Biden, migration surged, and tens of thousands of migrants were bused to cities across the country, leading to tensions over resources.

Biden attempted to craft a bipartisan immigration policy, but it was blocked by Congress. By the time he enacted stricter migration restrictions, discontent had brewed within his own party.

Today, Trump’s deportation operations have fallen out of favor with many Americans. A recent Beritaja poll showed that 60% of respondents disapproved of Trump’s actions on immigration and border security, particularly after the deaths of Good and Pretti.

Biden acknowledged his own handling of the immigration issue, stating, ‘Despite the truth that Covid drove migration to record levels around the world, the time I took office, border crossings in the United States were less than the time I entered the administration I inherited from Trump.’

Biden’s speech in South Carolina highlighted his efforts to reassert his leadership and contrast his policies with those of Trump, as he seeks to position himself as a strong alternative in the upcoming election cycle.