President-elect Donald Trump isn’t letting President Joe Biden off the hook so easily.
At a New Year’s Eve party at Mar-a-Lago, Trump called out Biden after the incumbent president suggested he could have won re-election if he had stayed in the race. Biden, who is 82 years old, had reportedly lamented his decision to step down, claiming he could have defeated Trump again if he had chosen to run.
Trump wasn’t buying it. “Well, he was way behind, and I assume he wouldn’t have had a chance,” Trump said, pointing out that Biden’s poll numbers were already plummeting long before he dropped out of the race. Trump continued, “We won in record numbers, and I wish him well,” referring to his overwhelming victory over Vice President Kamala Harris just months ago. The president-elect emphasized that his success was undeniable, winning both the popular vote by millions and key swing states.
Biden’s claim to a potential victory is seen as a desperate attempt to justify his decision to not seek a second term, despite the growing number of Democrats who believe his chances were slim. Back in July, pressure from within his party forced Biden to step aside as the presumptive nominee, ultimately endorsing Harris to carry the torch for the Democrats.
Trump didn’t mince words, laughing off Biden’s latest comments. He reminded the crowd that Biden’s disastrous debate performance against him, full of gaffes and missteps, played a major role in his downfall. “It didn’t work out too well for him,” Trump remarked, pointing out that Biden’s poor performance on stage sealed his fate.
Looking ahead, Trump expressed confidence about the future, predicting the U.S. will experience a “fantastically well” year in 2025. “We’re going to bring it back,” he said, emphasizing that America’s global standing must be restored, as many countries no longer respect the U.S. like they once did.
As the iconic “Hail to the Chief” played at the event, Trump struck an optimistic tone about the direction of the country. “There’s a whole light over the whole world,” he said, praising the progress America has made in the weeks since his victory.
Trump also confirmed his plans to attend former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral in Washington, D.C. on January 9. “I’ll be there,” he said, noting he had been invited.
The contrast between the two men’s political futures couldn’t be clearer, and with Trump’s optimism and bold vision for the future, it’s clear he plans to take America back to greatness starting in 2025.