Biden Draws Laughs By Zinging Trump and World Leaders at Private Fundraiser

AP Photo/Evan Vucci

President Joe Biden drew laughs at a private fundraiser as he attacked ex-President Donald Trump and rolled out a folksy zinger for another world leader.

The president traveled to Arizona this week to deliver a speech in honor of his late friend Senator John McCain in which he spoke out about our democracy in peril.

But Biden also spoke at a campaign reception at the Tucson home of Roberta and Jim Pederson Thursday afternoon.

In one chunk, Biden ripped Trump

My — my point is that there’s this small group of Republicans who are controlling the Republican Party right now, and particularly in the House. And, you know — and they believe if you — some of the things they say, for example — you know, we don’t think, Kamala and I, that this is a dark, negative nation, that we’re a mean-spirited people, that we don’t care. We don’t believe that.

You know, Trump does, though. Here’s the things he says. He says to his supporters, “I am your retribution.” Isn’t that a great way to run for president? “I am your retribution.” “We’re a failing nation.” “Either we…” — these are quotes. “Either we win — either they or we win; if they, then we no longer have a democ- — we no longer have a country.” And it goes on.

Did you see recently where he called for the assassination — or the death penalty for General Milley, one of the leading military minds we have had in the last 20 years in America, because he disagreed with — Trump disagreed when he gave him an honest answer. Think about that. Think about that.

And later in his speech, the president used some old-timey sports trash talk on China President Xi Jinping, and derided Trump’s affection for Russian President Vladimir Putin:

Who deals with this major, major, major challenge coming from China? Which, by the way, as we say in the sports I used to play, “They’re not a patch on our jeans, man,” right now. (Laughter.) No, I’m serious. Think — think.

I asked every world leader — and I’m not joking. I say, “Would you trade places with Xi Jinping?” I haven’t found one leader in the world who would trade places with his problems. And we walk around like, “Whoa, whoa.”

Ladies and gentlemen, I’m not looking to have a fight with China. But I’m making clear to China we’re not going to be bent to what they’re doing, what they’re trying to do.

And so, there’s a lot going on that, if we step out of the picture — and, by the way, you talk to Trump — what’s he say about — he says, “You know what…” — I’m paraphrasing — “Putin I can deal with; he’s a decent guy.” (Laughter.) As we say in my religion, “Bless me, Father, for he has sinned.” (Laughter.)

Biden and his campaign have recently begun to target Trump more regularly.

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