With his decision not to seek reelection, President Joe Biden is intensifying his criticism of the GOP, borrowing strategies from Donald Trump’s playbook.
One of his first moves was to embrace the jokes about his age and to give Trump a new nickname: “Donald Dump.”
Biden introduced the nickname during a White House event on Thursday, celebrating his administration’s agreement with pharmaceutical companies to reduce Medicare prescription drug costs.
In his speech, Biden went on the attack, criticizing Republicans for their opposition to Democratic efforts to negotiate with Big Pharma and mocking Trump with the new nickname. “Our opponent—what’s his name? Donald Dump, or whatever? They want to undo what we’ve accomplished,” Biden said.
At 81, Biden also made light of his own age, following months of criticism from Trump (who is three years younger), Republicans, and some Democrats who argued he was too old to run for reelection.
“I served in the Senate for 270 years,” Biden joked. “I know I look 40, but I’m actually a bit older.”
“I was only 29 when I was elected,” he added, recalling that he was once criticized for being “too damn young.” “Now I’m too damn old,” he quipped.
The announcement of the Big Pharma deal marked the first joint appearance between Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris since Biden withdrew from the 2024 race, paving the way for Harris to secure the Democratic nomination.
Harris spoke first, highlighting her achievements in combating drug costs as California’s attorney general and thanking Biden for his leadership.
When she introduced Biden, she led the audience in a round of applause, prompting chants of “Thank you, Joe!”
As Biden wrapped up the event, he reflected on his lengthy political career.
“I thank God that in these last three months as president, I was finally able to accomplish what I set out to do as a young senator, at 30 years old,” Biden concluded. “Thank you, God. Thank you.”
