Biden seizes on Trump's sinking favorability in a combative speech in South Carolina
#Biden speech#Trump criticism#South Carolina politics#State of the Union#ICE shootings#Immigration policy#Democratic primary#Presidential legacy
📌 Key Takeaways
Biden delivered a combative speech targeting Trump in South Carolina
Biden accused Trump of having a 'weird obsession with Barack Obama' and trying to 'steal the election'
Biden criticized Trump for ignoring victims of ICE shootings in Minnesota
Biden defended his own presidential record and highlighted South Carolina's importance in his 2020 victory
Biden addressed immigration issues, claiming border crossings were lower when he left office than when he entered
📖 Full Retelling
Former President Joe Biden delivered a combative speech targeting President Donald Trump during a South Carolina Democratic Party fundraising event at the Columbia Museum of Art on February 27, 2026, seizing on Trump's declining favorability and record-length State of the Union address delivered earlier in the week. 'Is he still talking?' Biden quipped to laughter, referring to Trump's 1 hour and 47 minute address. The former president didn't stop there, accusing Trump of having a 'weird obsession with Barack Obama' and scheming to 'steal the election' through voting restrictions. Biden grew particularly emotional when discussing the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by ICE agents in Minnesota, stating 'there's something wrong with this guy' for failing to acknowledge the victims.
Biden's appearance in South Carolina marked a significant return to the political stage, as the state had been instrumental in his 2020 presidential campaign after his early primary struggles. 'I knew if I won the nomination, I'd win the presidency, because I knew what Bill Clinton and Barack Obama knew before me: South Carolina picks presidents,' Biden declared, emphasizing the state's historical importance in presidential politics. The event honored Biden with a lifetime achievement award, coming six years after his crucial primary victory in the state that put him on a trajectory to the White House. While not explicitly calling for South Carolina to maintain its position as the first Democratic primary, Biden made a compelling case for the state's political prognostication abilities.
The speech served as both an attack on Trump's presidency and a defense of Biden's own record, which he claimed included significant achievements like capping insulin costs and building job growth. Biden highlighted Trump's perceived failures on the world stage and criticized the current administration's handling of immigration, particularly the recent deportation operations that have drawn disapproval from 60% of Americans in recent polling. Despite criticism of his own immigration policies, Biden countered, 'the day I left office, border crossings in the United States were lower than the day that I entered office I inherited from Trump.' The address reflected Biden's determination to remain relevant in the political discourse and shape the narrative around his legacy as Trump's presidency continues to unfold.
🏷️ Themes
Political Rivalry, Presidential Legacy, Immigration Policy
South Carolina government and politics cover the three different branches of government, as well as the state constitution, law enforcement agencies, federal representation, state finances, and state taxes. South Carolina is a state in the United States and was the eighth admitted to the Union. The ...
Annual report by the president of the United States
The State of the Union address (sometimes abbreviated to SOTU) is an annual message delivered by the president of the United States to a joint session of the United States Congress near the beginning of most calendar years on the current condition of the nation. The speech generally includes reports...
This is a list of shootings by U.S. immigration agents during the second Trump administration (2025–present). Federal immigration agencies in the United States include Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which are both housed in the U.S. Department of H...
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Deep Analysis
Why It Matters
The article highlights Biden's strategic effort to capitalize on declining public approval of Donald Trump, positioning himself as a contrast and reminding voters of his past successes. It also underscores the ongoing importance of South Carolina as a key state in presidential elections.
Context & Background
Trump's approval ratings have been declining.
Biden is seeking to reassert his political relevance after a period of diminished standing within his own party.
South Carolina has historically been a crucial state for Democratic presidential candidates.
What Happens Next
Biden is likely to continue using rallies and speeches to contrast his policies and accomplishments with those of the current administration. He will likely focus on key issues like immigration and economic performance to appeal to voters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Biden criticizing Trump for?
Biden criticized Trump for his lengthly State of the Union address, his comments about Barack Obama, and his handling of immigration, specifically mentioning the deaths of migrants and lack of empathy shown to their families.
Why is South Carolina important in presidential elections?
South Carolina has a history of determining the outcome of presidential elections, as demonstrated by its pivotal role in Biden's 2020 primary victory. It is considered a key state for both parties.
How did Biden address criticism about his immigration policies?
Biden stated that border crossings were lower when he left office than when he inherited the presidency from Trump, despite COVID-19 driving migration to record levels globally.
What is the significance of the NBC News poll mentioned in the article?
The poll indicates a shift in public opinion regarding Trump's handling of border security and immigration, suggesting that his policies are losing favor with voters.
Original Source
Biden seizes on Trump's sinking favorability in a combative speech in South Carolina The former president accused Trump of squandering his legacy and having a "weird obsession with Barack Obama." Former President Joe Biden speaking during a fundraising event with the South Carolina Democratic Party at the Columbia Museum of Art in Columbia, South Carolina on Feb., 27, 2026. Sean Rayford / Getty Images Share Add NBC News to Google Feb. 27, 2026, 10:30 PM EST By Natasha Korecki Listen to this article with a free account 00:00 00:00 Former President Joe Biden stood before a South Carolina crowd on Friday and took aim at President Donald Trump's State of the Union address. "Is he still talking?" Biden asked, to laughter. The reference to Trump's Tuesday night speech, which went on at record length at 1 hour and 47 minutes, would be the mildest criticism Biden leveled at the president. During his roughly 20 minutes of remarks, Biden accused Trump of having a “weird obsession with Barack Obama" and scheming to "steal the election" by attempting to put up roadblocks to voting in the midterms. He then simply stated there was “something wrong with this guy.” The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Biden spoke in Columbia, South Carolina, on Friday, where party leaders and donors honored his lifetime achievement. Biden paid tribute to the southern state that six years earlier gave him a pivotal presidential primary win, putting him on a trajectory to claim the White House in 2020. The address was a rare public speech by Biden since he left office last year. Biden grew sullen as he spoke of the surge of immigration agents in Minnesota that resulted in the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti. "My friends, I can't sugarcoat this," Biden said. "These are dark days." And he hit Trump for ignoring those violent events in Minnesota during the State of the Union. “He doesn’t mention Renee Good, Alex Pretti who were killed by ...
