President Joe Biden’s final campaign speech took an unexpected turn as he expressed a desire to “smack” certain “macho guys,” raising eyebrows and sparking controversy.
At a Glance
- Biden made controversial remarks about wanting to “smack” Trump supporters during his final campaign stop in Scranton, Pennsylvania
- The President’s off-script comments drew laughter from the crowd
- Biden criticized former President Donald Trump and his supporters on policy issues, particularly tax cuts for the wealthy
- The White House altered the official transcript of Biden’s remarks, causing objections from federal workers
- Trump responded to Biden’s comments during a rally in North Carolina
Biden’s Controversial Remarks
During his final campaign stop in Scranton, Pennsylvania, President Joe Biden made a series of controversial statements that dominated headlines. The President, known for his occasional off-script moments, surprised many with his remarks about wanting to “smack” certain supporters of former President Donald Trump.
Biden’s exact words, as reported, were: “I tell you what, man, when I was in Scranton, we used to have a little trouble going down the plot once in a while. These are the kind of guys you’d like to smack in the ass.” The comment, while drawing laughter from the crowd, has been widely criticized as inappropriate for a sitting president.
Biden suggests he'd like to smack 'macho guys' during final campaign stop (from @AP) w/ @mrbrownsir https://t.co/hqKjWkFyTP
— Will Weissert (@apwillweissert) November 2, 2024
Criticism of Trump and Policy Issues
Biden also used the campaign stop to criticize former President Trump and his supporters on various policy issues. He focused on what he perceives as the Republicans’ intentions regarding tax policy. “There’s one more thing Trump and his Republican friends want to do. They want to have a giant tax cut for the wealthy,” Biden said.
The President’s comments align with the campaign’s broader strategy of painting the Republican party as favoring the wealthy at the expense of working-class Americans – a consistent theme throughout Biden’s presidency.
White House Response and Backlash
In the aftermath of the speech, the White House once again found itself in hot water for altering the official transcript of the president’s remarks. This decision led to objections from federal workers and raised questions about transparency, fueling criticism from opponents who argue that Biden’s behavior is unbecoming of his office.
Trump’s Response
Former President Donald Trump, never one to let a potential controversy pass without comment, responded to Biden’s remarks during a rally in North Carolina. In his characteristic style, Trump questioned Biden’s presence and relevance in the political arena.
“I don’t even know, is he still around?” Trump said, taking a jab at his political rival.
