Maryland : Former US President Joe Biden launched a scathing attack on his successor, President Donald Trump, accusing his administration of corruption, poor governance, and misplaced priorities during a Democratic Party fundraising event in Hanover, Maryland.
Addressing a gala hosted by the Maryland Democratic Party, Biden criticised a range of high-profile infrastructure and redevelopment projects in Washington, DC, alleging that they reflected personal vanity rather than national interest. He specifically pointed to proposed and ongoing changes involving the White House East Wing, plans for a triumphal arch, and renovations of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
Biden also condemned administrative decisions related to individuals convicted for their involvement in the January 6, 2021 US Capitol riot, who were later granted presidential pardons by Trump. Referring to the matter, Biden made a pointed remark, saying, “Whoa! What a loser.”
He further alleged corruption in federal contracting processes, citing a lucrative non-competitive contract for a filtration system at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool that he claimed was awarded to a donor associated with Trump. “It’s the corruption, the brazen, blatant corruption. Corruption on a scale never seen before in American history,” Biden said.
Expanding his criticism to foreign policy, Biden argued that Trump’s approach to Russia and President Vladimir Putin had weakened US alliances, particularly within NATO, and undermined America’s global standing. He claimed that Trump had “diminished our standing in the world more than any president in history.”
The remarks came during a politically symbolic moment, marking two years since Biden’s widely criticised debate performance against Trump, which preceded his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race. Following that election cycle, Trump returned to the White House after defeating then–Vice President Kamala Harris.