He’s trying to get under Trump’s skin.
As President Joe Biden continues his efforts to counter Donald Trump’s influence, he’s increasingly employing a strategy he believes will unsettle his opponent: getting under his skin.
In recent weeks, both in private discussions and public appearances, Biden has intensified his personal attacks against the former president, often using biting sarcasm to target Trump’s financial troubles, campaign pace, and even his physical appearance.
This approach largely originates from Biden himself, as affirmed by numerous aides and advisors familiar with his approach. One aide remarked, “This is classic Biden, and we’re following his lead. There’s just something about Joe Biden that seems to bother Donald Trump more than anyone else, and I think Joe Biden knows that.”
During a recent fundraiser in New York City, where Biden raised $26 million for his campaign, he was asked about the significance of the upcoming election. After criticizing Trump’s policies broadly, he quipped, “All the things he’s doing are so old … a little old and out of shape,” eliciting laughter from the audience.
Biden also took a dig at Trump’s physical stamina while recalling a brief exchange they had about golf at the White House. “I told him this once before when he came into the Oval before he was sworn in. I said, ‘I’ll give you three strokes, but you carry your own bag,'” Biden recounted, prompting further laughter.
According to aides and a senior advisor, Biden crafted these jokes spontaneously, often using similar quips in internal staff meetings. “He comes up with these off the cuff,” one aide explained.
Earlier this month, Biden directly addressed Trump’s legal and financial issues, recounting a recent encounter where he had to decline assistance to a “defeated man” crushed by debt. His campaign has even branded Trump as “Broke Don.”
Biden’s team believes that such comments and jests may resonate with voters due to their authenticity and alignment with Biden’s character. While contrasting policy positions remains crucial, Biden is personally driving the effort to highlight stark character differences between himself and Trump, particularly on the campaign trail.
Aides anticipate Biden will continue this approach as the campaign intensifies, leveraging jokes and jabs to underscore what they see as Trump’s shortcomings. When asked for a response, Trump’s campaign criticized Biden for attending a fundraiser while Trump paid respects to a slain police officer.
In smaller meetings, Biden often makes jokes about Trump that are then amplified into digital content for social media platforms. This includes embracing the “Dark Brandon” meme, originated in right-wing circles, to mock conspiracy theories surrounding him.
At a recent event with Obama and Clinton, Biden humorously referenced the meme, further solidifying his commitment to using humor as a political tool against Trump.
