Key facts
- Donald Trump has mentioned Joe Biden nearly 900 times this year.
- Trump has blamed Biden for inflation, immigration, and munitions shortages.
- Trump has referenced Biden 210 times on the economy.
- Trump has referenced Biden 168 times on immigration.
- Trump has referenced Biden 138 times on foreign policy and national security.
- Trump mentioned Biden 16 times on July 27 during the NATO meeting in Turkey.
US President Donald Trump has invoked the name of his predecessor, Joe Biden, nearly 900 times this year, making Biden a central focus of his political discourse. A review by Reuters found that Trump has mentioned Biden an average of three times a day across speeches, comments, and Truth Social posts, blaming him for issues ranging from inflation and immigration to munitions shortages.
This tactic is seen as an effort by Trump to keep public attention on the perceived failures of the previous administration, rather than on concerns about his own presidency, especially with the November midterm elections approaching. Trump told supporters at the Republican midterm convention in Dallas on September 9 that Democrats "delivered you four years of disaster, bedlam and death under sleepy Joe Biden."
Republican strategist Ryan Williams noted that Trump "always needs a foil and it's better to have a single person than a party," adding that Trump "can use it to try to deflect any problems he’s currently facing."
The Reuters review examined Trump's references to Biden since the beginning of the year, finding at least 890 mentions spanning nearly 200 events and interviews, and around 190 Truth Social posts. Trump invoked Biden at least 210 times concerning the economy, 168 times on immigration, and 138 times on foreign policy and national security matters.
While presidents often criticize their predecessors, Trump's focus on Biden 20 months into his term is notable for its persistence and volume. Olivia Wales, a White House spokeswoman, defended Trump's strategy, stating, "Joe Biden is the worst president in American history, and President Trump has spent every day cleaning up his mess and making the United States of America stronger than ever before."
However, Meghan Hays, a former senior Biden White House official, called Trump's approach an "obsession," suggesting, "Nine hundred mentions in less than a year isn’t governing, it’s an obsession. Joe Biden beat him once and Trump still hasn’t gotten over it. He's more focused on re-litigating 2020 than lowering the cost of gas and groceries for the American people."
Trump has shifted blame for economic issues to Biden, particularly concerning affordability, despite polls suggesting Americans are more critical of Trump's economic stewardship. Inflation during Biden's presidency reached over 9%, influenced by pandemic disruptions, the war in Ukraine, and administration spending. Trump's promise to lower prices was a key campaign theme, but inflation has remained elevated.
Immigration is another key issue where Trump frequently invokes Biden, blaming his predecessor's policies for high levels of illegal immigration. Trump has also accused Biden of not being aggressive enough against Iran and of "creating a monster with Iran" through the 2015 nuclear deal. He has also blamed Biden for munitions shortages, attributing them to aid given to Ukraine.
Trump has also made personal criticisms of Biden, questioning his mental acuity and his use of an autopen to sign documents. He has even used a display dedicated to Biden featuring an autopen at his "presidential walk of fame" near the White House Rose Garden.