(SQAUK) — In a rally that quickly went viral, President Joe Biden spiced up a Pennsylvania campaign event by describing former President Donald Trump’s supporters as “the kinda guys you’d like to smack in the a**.” The comment, intended as a humorous jab, was met with laughter and applause from the crowd of union supporters, further intensifying the pre-election fervor.
Biden, campaigning for Vice President Kamala Harris as she vies for the 2024 presidential seat, used the phrase to emphasize his disapproval of Trump and his proponents’ bold style and political actions. Speaking to members of a local carpenters’ union, Biden painted Trump as a menace to working-class Americans, criticizing policies he said would strip away crucial protections. “I know some of you guys are tempted to think he’s this macho guy,” Biden quipped, “but trust me, there’s nothing ‘tough’ about selling out the middle class.” His comments were fiery, urging labor voters to back Harris to safeguard their rights.
Biden’s unfiltered approach isn’t unprecedented. As election season has progressed, the president has become increasingly candid in his criticisms of Trump. The verbal smackdown was the latest in a series of campaign statements intended to highlight what he sees as the dangerous rollback of worker protections and healthcare access under Trump’s proposed policies. With Trump promising a tax overhaul if re-elected, Biden has countered by warning that such changes would benefit only the wealthy. Specifically, he referenced Trump’s historical stance on Social Security and Medicare, arguing that his rival’s policies could gut the essential programs.
This line of attack resonates particularly well in Pennsylvania, a critical swing state that Biden won in 2020 and where union support can make or break campaigns. Many in the crowd were visibly energized by Biden’s bold language, with one union worker reportedly shouting, “Give him hell, Joe!” Others clapped and nodded as Biden outlined his vision for economic policies prioritizing working families over corporate tax breaks.
The comment also came amid tensions between Biden and Trump supporters. Just days prior, Trump responded to Biden’s critique with a dramatic show at a Wisconsin rally, arriving in a garbage truck while wearing a garbageman’s safety vest—a not-so-subtle jab at Biden’s criticism. This escalating back-and-forth has become emblematic of a deeply divided electorate, with both camps rallying their bases with increasingly personal attacks.
Critics of Biden’s comment have suggested that it marks a new low in political discourse, arguing that such remarks are unbecoming of a sitting president. Conservative commentators pointed to the outburst as evidence of Biden’s frustration with a highly competitive race. On social media, Trump supporters were quick to label Biden’s language as “unpresidential” and “desperate,” while Trump himself took to his platforms to mock Biden’s age and stamina.
Despite the backlash, the Biden camp doubled down, framing his speech as a rallying cry for the working class and an indictment of Trump’s policies. A Biden campaign spokesperson later elaborated that the president’s words reflected “the genuine frustration many Americans feel when it comes to protecting their rights against corporate greed and political gamesmanship.”
This candid style has become a hallmark of Biden’s recent appearances, underscoring what his campaign hopes is a message of strength and resolve. As the election nears, Biden’s comment is expected to remain a talking point, further animating an electorate already braced for one of the most contentious races in recent history.
