Former US President Joe Biden delivered one of his strongest attacks yet on MAGA chief Donald Trump during a speech in Omaha on Friday, accusing the president of damaging America’s institutions and mocking his remodel of the White House. Speaking at a Nebraska Democratic Party gala, the former president told supporters he believed Trump’s actions had gone far beyond what he had expected.“I knew Trump was going to taking a wrecking ball to the country, but I had no idea, I have to admit, I didn’t know there was going to be an actual wrecking ball,” Biden said, referring to Trump’s demolition of the East Wing to build a vast 90,000 square foot, 300$ million ballroom in White House. “It’s a perfect symbol of his presidency. Trump has taken a wrecking ball not only to the people’s house but to the Constitution, to the rule of law, to our very democracy.”Biden also mocked Trump’s claim that the United States is living through “a golden age”. He said, “He now says we are quote ‘in a golden age.’ The only gold is the stuff he’s hanging on the mantle,” slamming the ornate additions Trump has made to the Oval Office.Speaking at times as though Trump were in the room, Biden said, “You act in a way that embarrasses us as a nation, quite frankly.” He argued that Trump has prioritised the interests of his wealthy friends, saying, “You work for us, Mr. President. We don’t work for you. You work for us, not just billionaires and millionaires. I’m angry.”Biden also spoke about his recent prostate cancer treatment and used his own experience to discuss the importance of affordable health care. “I thank God for the doctors and the nurses and the incredible breakthroughs we’re making in cancer research,” he said. “Now Trump and his Republican friends are cutting government funding for health care and making it more expensive, more expensive for virtually everyone.”His remarks came during the country’s longest-ever government shutdown. Democrats have refused to back the Republican funding bill because it excludes an extension of the subsidies that expire at the end of the year, according to CNN. Biden celebrated Tuesday’s sweeping Democratic victories, saying, “The Democratic party is back!” Wins included Zohran Mamdani’s election as New York City mayor, and gubernatorial victories for Abigail Spanberger in Virginia and Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey. A Democrat-backed redistricting measure also passed in California.He said the results show that “the American people are sending a message … to Trump and to his crowd,” and that they have rejected Trump’s agenda. Biden closed with a message of defiance, saying, “I know this nation. I know the American people. And here’s what I know: No one, no one, not even the president, can destroy our democracy if we stand together and fight for it.”
