Two years after debate, Biden pokes Trump: “He’s a loser!”

Former U.S. President Joe Biden delivered a speech to Democrats at a party fundraising event in Maryland on Saturday night, where he sharply criticized the actions of his successor in the White House, Donald Trump. Biden described Trump as "arrogant" and "corrupt."

“This isn’t just his vanity project,” Biden said. “He tore down the East Wing of the White House to build his own ballroom. He put his name on the Kennedy Center. He had an arch built in his honor. He even hired his own people to renovate the Reflecting Pool. He’s a loser!”

Biden continued, “The Reflecting Pool reflects something even worse than the narcissism and incompetence at the heart of this administration. It reflects corruption. This is shameless, open corruption. No administration in American history has ever reached this level of corruption.”

The 10-minute speech marked one of Biden’s strongest attacks on Trump since leaving the White House. It came exactly two years after the CNN presidential debate in which Biden faced Trump—a performance widely seen as ending his hopes for a second term and dramatically reshaping his political future.

Addressing the audience, Biden said, “What really angers me is that Trump wants to use taxpayers’ money—your money—to compensate the January 6 rioters. That’s what he’s trying to do. These people don’t deserve compensation. They deserve to stay in prison for a long time.”

Since leaving office, Biden has continued to criticize Trump. Over the past month, he has attended Democratic events in Maryland, South Dakota, and his home state of Delaware in an effort to help unify the party during Trump’s second term.

However, Biden’s current political standing remains complicated. Many within the Democratic Party remain disappointed with his role in the 2024 election. A recent CNN poll conducted by SSRS found that only 30 percent of Americans have a favorable opinion of Biden—the lowest approval level of his presidency.

Some Democrats have also expressed frustration over the Biden family’s renewed public presence in politics. Former First Lady Dr. Jill Biden recently published her memoir and has been discussing the events of 2024 during her promotional tour. Critics within the party argue that doing so is reopening old wounds.

Biden’s former spokesperson and longtime supporter, Andrew Bates, told the New York Post, “It was our responsibility to win, and we didn’t. I think about that all the time. But I don’t understand why we needed to reopen that painful conversation publicly right now.”

Jill Biden reacted angrily to the criticism during a book event in Washington, D.C., saying, “Give me a call and say that to my face.”

Her response drew criticism from several former colleagues. However, a source familiar with the matter said that Jill Biden and Andrew Bates spoke the following day.

Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, has also become increasingly active in public life. He frequently comments on political issues and shares his personal journey of overcoming drug addiction on social media. He now has more than 800,000 followers on X (formerly Twitter).

Hunter has also appeared on several long-form podcasts, including a two-hour conversation with controversial conservative commentator Candace Owens.

On California Governor Gavin Newsom’s podcast, Hunter openly discussed one of his father’s most controversial decisions. Although Joe Biden had initially said he would not issue a pardon, he ultimately pardoned his son.

Reflecting on that decision, Hunter said, “He chose me over his legacy. Because no matter what people say, when history remembers him, this will be one of the first things people talk about.”

Efforts to shape Biden’s political legacy are expected to intensify in the coming months. He has spent much of the year writing his memoir, though no publication date has yet been announced.

Planning for Biden’s presidential library has also progressed more slowly than those of previous presidents. Biden has said it will be located in Delaware, although no specific site has been finalized. Sources say those details may soon be settled.

His team continues fundraising efforts for the library. However, it is expected to be much smaller than former President Barack Obama’s $850 million presidential center in Chicago.

Just last week, Biden joined other former presidents at the opening ceremony of Obama’s presidential center.

Now 83 years old, Biden is also battling prostate cancer, which has spread to his bones. The diagnosis came several months after he left the White House.

He is currently undergoing radiation treatment and hormone therapy. In a recent interview with NBC, Jill Biden said, “I think Joe will probably live with cancer for the rest of his life.”

Although some Democrats now view him less favorably, Biden continues to support the party whenever possible.

Ahead of the Democratic primaries, he endorsed two former members of his administration: Keisha Lance Bottoms, who is running for governor of Georgia, and Dan Koh, who is running for Congress in Massachusetts.

At Saturday’s Maryland event, Biden also met with Governor Wes Moore and Senator Chris Van Hollen, both of whom are widely considered strong potential Democratic candidates for the 2028 presidential election.

Introducing Biden at the event, Moore recalled how Biden responded after the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge in 2024 by quickly sending millions of dollars in federal assistance.

“He helped us not only rebuild,” Moore said, “but also heal from our grief. He moved federal resources into our city immediately because he knew millions of people depended on that bridge. Joe Biden may not have been born in Maryland, but he showed just how resilient Marylanders—and Baltimore—really are.”

Baltimore Democratic activist Adrienne Green, who met Biden before the speech, said she was pleased to see him and believed he was “doing quite well” despite his age. At the same time, she emphasized the need for a new generation of leadership in both major political parties.

“I think former leaders can offer valuable advice,” she said. “But honestly, the time has come for both Democrats and Republicans to pass the torch to a new generation.”

Biden also remains in regular contact with Delaware Democratic Representative Sarah McBride. The two had lunch together in Delaware last week, where they discussed Trump’s impact on the global stage.

Speaking to CNN by phone, McBride said, “Voters are focused on the present and the future. I believe we need to come together, and that includes our former leaders such as Joe Biden and Barack Obama. I’m grateful for President Biden’s leadership.”

Standing before Democrats on Saturday, Biden insisted that he is still “fighting” for the party. Encouraging Democrats currently out of power, he declared, “My message to everyone who loves this country is simple: Stand up. Now is the time. Keep fighting!”

His remarks were met with loud applause from the audience.

Author: Arlette Saenz is a CNN correspondent based in Washington, D.C.