Biden Confronts Trump’s Claims in Major Speech Post-Trump Shooting Incident
On Tuesday, President Joe Biden addressed his first major public gathering after the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. While echoing concerns about the escalating political tension in the country, he nonetheless launched stinging critiques of Trump’s claims and policies, accusing him of “lying like hell.”
Biden Addresses the NAACP National Convention
In his speech at the 115th NAACP National Convention in Las Vegas, Biden spoke about the recent shooting incident involving Trump. “We’re grateful he was not seriously injured,” Biden stated, adding, “Our politics has gotten too heated…we all have responsibilities to lower the temperature.”
However, Biden did not shy away from calling out the former president, stressing the importance of “telling the truth of who you are, what you’ve done, what you’ll do.”
A Pleading Stance on Gun Violence
Biden used the occasion to vehemently condemn gun violence in America. Referring to other notable violent acts like the killing of George Floyd and the Capitol riots of January 6, 2021, he expressed concern over the fact that “more children in America died of gunshot wounds than any other reason.”
His speech didn’t stop at gun violence. He scrutinized the Trump administration’s policies and achievements, laying particular emphasis on the state of the Black community. Citing low unemployment rates, and the growth in black-owned businesses under his administration, Biden accused Trump of fabricating facts about such developments.
Trump’s Policies: “Hell for Black Americans”
Biden quoted Harry Truman, saying, “I’ve never deliberately given anyone hell. I just told the truth and they thought it was hell.” He then went on to describe Trump’s presidency as “hell for Black Americans,” critiquing his efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, the tax cut favouring wealthy citizens, and the prejudiced pandemic policies.
Taking on Trump’s Running Mate
Not stopping at Trump, Biden also criticized Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, Trump’s new chosen running mate. He accused Vance and Trump of plotting to encroach on durable freedoms, particularly the right to vote and the right to abortion.
Endorsement of Kamala Harris
Amid speculations about his potential successor, Biden lauded Vice President Kamala Harris, saying, “She could be president of the United States.”
Anomalies in Biden’s Speech
However, Biden’s 30-minute speech was not without a few slip-ups. He stumbled while explaining the administration’s upcoming policy proposal that proposes a 5% cap on rent increases and referred to Project 2025 incorrectly as “this project of 2024” and “their program on 2025.”
Reactions to Biden’s Speech
Despite recent dips in support among Black voters, the attendees at the NAACP Convention cheered for Biden, chanting “Four more years!” Shavon Arline-Bradley, the president and chief executive of National Council of Negro Women, reassured confidence in the engaged participation of Black women, proclaiming, “Black women, we will never be silenced ever, ever, ever again.”
