Analysis by Summer Lane | Photo: Alamy
President Donald Trump gave a play-by-play reaction to Joe Biden’s State of the Union address on Thursday evening, providing a hefty dose of humor and eviscerating criticism throughout the night.
Trump’s commentary was delivered exclusively through his platform, Truth Social. He kicked off the night by slamming Biden for being “very substantially late.” According to online video, pro-Palestinian protestors reportedly blocked the road in front of the U.S. Capitol on Thursday evening, leading some to speculate that this may have been the reason Biden was late.
Trump Senior Advisor Chris LaCivita quipped on X, “He slept in.”
President Trump also joked, “They will have to drive very, very quickly, you just don’t want to be late to the State of the Union. They will need Mario Andretti to be at the wheel of the Limo.”
Shortly before Biden began his remarks, Trump took a swipe immediately on the issue of the ongoing illegal immigration crisis in America. “There is nothing he can say tonight that can absolve him from letting 15 million people into our Country illegally. He’ll probably blame me, but I had the Safest Border in the History of our Country, so that won’t go very far!”
Biden stumps for…Ukraine (again)
Joe Biden opened his statement with another plea to send Ukraine more weapons and aid. He said, “If anybody here thinks Putin will stop with Ukraine, I assure you he will not, but Ukraine could stop Putin.”
Biden also accused his “predecessor,” Trump, of “bowing down” to Russian President Vladimir Putin while president. He vowed that the U.S. would not “walk away” from the war in Ukraine, much to the chagrin of many who would like to see the war in Eastern Europe rapidly de-escalated.
Trump simply rebuffed Biden’s colorful claim, writing, “Putin only invaded Ukraine, because he has no respect for Biden. Would have never happened under the Trump Administration, and for four years it didn’t happen!”
Later, he added, “He said I bowed down to the Russian Leader. He gave them everything, including Ukraine. I took away Nord Stream 2, he gave it to them! He was a Puppet for Putin and Xi, and virtually every other Leader!”
Trump slaps down Jan. 6 narrative and addresses IVF
From the topic of Russia and Ukraine, Biden quickly pivoted to the Jan. 6, 2021, protests, saying that “insurrectionists” posed the greatest threat to “democracy” since the Civil War.
“My predecessor and some of you here seek to bury the truth about January 6,” Biden droned on.
Trump responded on Truth Social, “The so-called ‘Insurrectionists’ that he talks about had no guns, they only had a Rigged Election. The only gun was that used on Ashli Babbitt, who sadly, is no longer with us!”
Biden later attempted to “guarantee the right to IVF” on a nationwide scale, in a weak and late-to-the-game echo of an issue that Trump has already spoken out about.
Watch Trump’s previous comment on the issue, which far preceded Biden’s Thursday evening political posturing:
On Truth Social, Trump pointed out, “IVF was just approved in Alabama, and the Republicans are totally in support of helping women. We are stronger on IVF than the Democrats!”
Trump toasts Biden’s angry tone and economic claims
Throughout the evening, Biden clutched the podium and repeatedly raised his voice during his remarks. President Trump observed, “He looks so angry when he’s talking, which is a trait of people who know they are ‘losing it.’ The anger and shouting is not helpful to bringing our Country back together!”
Later, Trump also commented, “Why doesn’t he bring up East Palestine and the other Towns all throughout America that he has left behind, and destroyed with Inflation?”
Biden claimed that anyone making under $400,000 per year would not pay “one penny” more in taxes under his administration and called for restoring child tax credits, demanding that big corporations and wealthy people begin to “pay their fair share.”
“All Reduction Pricing was done by us, and kicked in after we left!” Trump stated on Truth.
In a humorous moment, Trump observed that Biden was “COUGHING” frequently throughout the speech. “THE DRUGS ARE WEARING OFF!” he wrote.
Joe Biden additionally said that he would protect Social Security and Medicare, accusing Republicans of somehow gunning to eliminate both. Trump replied, “Republicans have no plan to cut Social Security, a made up story by Crooked Joe!”
The southern border
“If we change the dynamics at the border…” Biden began. He attempted to take a firm line on the issue, but clearly lost his train of thought after mentioning the death of 22-year-old Laken Riley. He pivoted away from her name quickly, caveating the story of her murder with a disdainful comment: “What about all the people legals murder?”
Biden also appeared to mispronounce Laken’s name as “Lincoln Riley.”
Joe Biden quickly circled back to the Senate border bill, which was dead on arrival in the House of Representatives.
“Join me in telling the Congress to pass it,” he said to his predecessor, Trump.
The 45th president succinctly fired back on his platform, “His Border Bill is a Disaster, it would let at least 5,000 Migrants in a day, and that is one of the better aspects of it!”
Biden’s coughing and confusion
Biden’s continued coughing throughout his speech caught the attention of viewers online. Trump wrote, “DON’T SHAKE PEOPLE’S HANDS GOING OUT – HE KEEPS COUGHING INTO HIS RIGHT HAND!”
He later remarked, “See, as he’s getting ready to cough yet again into his right hand, the Fake News Media rushes him off the screen!”
Gun control and the war in Israel
Biden touched on the issue of gun control and claimed that his policies would not infringe upon the Second Amendment or upon the rights of law-abiding gun owners.
Trump reminded Americans, “He wants to take away everyone’s gun. Remember that when you go to the Voting Booth, because if I’m not elected, your guns are GONE, along with your Freedom!”
On the subject of Israel, Biden said that he would “pledge” to ensure that Israeli hostages being held by Hamas would be brought home. He pressed for an “immediate cease-fire” in the Middle East situation. However, he said that Israel must “do its part” and allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza.
President Trump highlighted this simple fact: “He’s done nothing for Israel compared to what I have done. It’s only words he speaks, not TRUTH!”
Trump added, “He made Iran RICH. This is why we have the problems in the Middle East. With me, Iran was BROKE. He is the reason that the Middle East is blowing up!”
Conclusion
Joe Biden’s speech on Thursday night ultimately presented in the style of a campaign speech rather than a point-by-point review of the state of the union.
Turning Point USA President Charlie Kirk astutely observed, “This is not a State of the Union speech. This is a war time address against half the country. This is a signal to crush political dissent.”
“JOE BIDEN IS A THREAT TO DEMOCRACY! HE WEAPONIZED GOVERNMENT AGAINST HIS OPPONENT – DIDN’T TALK ABOUT THAT, NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE!” Trump said.
He later concluded, “Whether the Fake News Media likes admitting it or not, there was tremendous misrepresentation and lies in that Speech, but the People of our Country get it, and they know that November 5th will be the Most Important Day in our Nation’s History!”