Last updated on July 18th, 2023 at 11:27 am
President Donald Trump said in a speech to a Republican group that former Vice President Joe Biden is “being taken care of pretty well by the socialists.” He was implying that recent criticisms against Biden, a potential 2020 presidential candidate, is the product of attacks coming from the left wing (i.e. Bernie Sanders wing) of the Democratic Party.
Criticism of the former vice president has been snowballing over the past several recent days as more women have come out with stories about past physical interactions with Biden.
Although Biden has always been a “touchy-feely†politician, the women have all said their interactions with him left them feeling uncomfortable. Even though all of Biden’s accusers made clear that the physical contact was not sexual in nature, the criticisms against him are problematic.
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If Biden does enter the 2020 presidential race he will immediately be a top contender, and he has been first in many polls of 2020 Democratic candidates. So accusations against him will undoubtedly cast a shadow over his campaign, as he takes on over 15 other Democrats, including several women.
Trump’s comments came at the spring fundraising dinner for House Republicans’ campaign arm. He very clearly insinuated, just as Biden’s own team has, that the accusations had come out because of the work of a rival campaign.
“It looks like the only non-, sort of heavy socialist, he is being taken care of pretty well by the socialists,†Trump said. “They got to him. Our former vice president. I was going to call him — I don’t know him well. I was gonna say, ‘Welcome to the world, Joe. Are you having a good time, Joe?’â€
The controversy over Biden’s alleged inappropriate touching first came up last week when former Nevada legislator Lucy Flores wrote an essay in The Cut detailing a 2014 incident when Biden allegedly kissed the back of her head. Since then, three more women have come forward with their own stories of being made uncomfortable by Biden’s physical contact.
Many Democrats have stepped forward in Biden’s defense in the last week, arguing that the former vice president’s habit of showing physical affection is simply part of his personality.
Biden has also apologized through statements to the press, admitting he may have unintentionally made the women feel uncomfortable.
Trump’s comments about Biden might be a preview of further attacks to come on the former vice president. It also shows that he will not stay silent during the Democratic primaries.
The Hill reported Tuesday afternoon that the pro-Trump Great America PAC had recently placed a six-figure ad buy for a digital spot hitting “Creepy Joe†over the accusations.
Trump Should Not Be Highlighting Sexual Assault During the 2020 Campaign
This is somewhat surprising since Trump himself has not been immune to accusations of making unwelcome advances on women. He has been accused of sexual harassment or sexual assault over 20 times. In the infamous “Access Hollywood†tape he admitted kissing and groping women without their consent.
Donald Trump lives in the ultimate glass house, and he really shouldn’t be throwing any stones at an upstanding family man like Joe Biden.
I am a lifelong Democrat with a passion for social justice and progressive issues. I have degrees in writing, economics and law from the University of Iowa.
