Politics

Biden Unleashes Scathing Rebuke of Trump, Linking Actions to Democratic Victories and Government Shutdown

Biden: Trump wrecked democracy. Criticized policies, linked to shutdown & election wins.

November 8, 2025, 8:52 AM

Close-up of Joe Biden smiling while being received with military honors in Berlin.

Joe Biden, then US President, is received with military honors at Bellevue Palace in Berlin. By Juergen Nowak / Shutterstock.com.

Executive Summary

President Joe Biden sharply criticized Donald Trump, accusing him of taking “a wrecking ball” to American democracy and damaging the Constitution and rule of law.

Biden linked Trump’s actions to alleged cuts in government funding for healthcare and the ongoing government shutdown, which is centered on healthcare subsidies.

Biden celebrated recent Democratic electoral victories, interpreting them as a message to Trump and urging citizens to defend democracy.

The Story So Far

Former President Joe Biden’s sharp criticism of President Donald Trump comes amidst the longest government shutdown in history, largely centered on healthcare subsidies, and follows recent Democratic electoral victories that Biden interprets as a message to Trump. Biden’s remarks are rooted in his belief that Donald Trump has damaged American democracy, the Constitution, and the rule of law through his actions and policies, including alleged cuts to healthcare funding.

Why This Matters

President Biden’s sharp criticism of Donald Trump signals an intensification of political rhetoric, framing the upcoming political landscape around existential threats to democracy and critical policy debates like healthcare funding, whose resolution remains uncertain amidst ongoing government stalemates. This also suggests Democrats will continue to leverage recent electoral successes as a mandate against Trump’s policies, potentially shaping future campaign strategies and voter mobilization efforts.

Who Thinks What?

President Joe Biden asserts that President Donald Trump has “taken a wrecking ball” to American democracy, damaging the Constitution, the rule of law, and making healthcare more expensive for Americans, while prioritizing wealthy allies, and interprets recent Democratic electoral victories as a public mandate to defend democracy.

Democrats are refusing to fund the government without an extension of Affordable Care Act enhanced premium subsidies, indicating their commitment to maintaining and extending healthcare support.

Former President Joe Biden sharply criticized President Donald Trump on Friday, asserting that Trump has “taken a wrecking ball” to American democracy. Speaking at a gala in Omaha, Nebraska, Biden condemned Trump’s actions and policies, linking them to recent Democratic electoral successes and an ongoing government shutdown.

Biden’s Critique of Trump

Biden specifically accused Trump of damaging the Constitution and the rule of law. He cited Trump’s demolition of the White House’s East Wing to build a ballroom as a “perfect symbol” of his presidency, suggesting it represented a broader disregard for institutions.

The former president also mocked Trump’s declarations of a “golden age” for the country, referring to Trump’s gilded additions to the Oval Office. Biden directly challenged Trump, stating, “You act in a way that embarrasses us as a nation, quite frankly.”

Biden further criticized Trump for allegedly prioritizing wealthy allies over the American populace. He emphasized, “You work for us, Mr. President. We don’t work for you,” expressing anger at the perceived imbalance.

Healthcare and Government Shutdown

Connecting his recent prostate cancer diagnosis to broader policy, Biden attacked Trump and Republicans for allegedly cutting government funding for healthcare. He argued these actions make healthcare more expensive for most Americans.

These remarks came amid the longest government shutdown in history, a stalemate largely centered on healthcare subsidies. Democrats are reportedly refusing to fund the government without an extension of Affordable Care Act enhanced premium subsidies, which are set to expire at the end of the year.

Democratic Victories and Defense of Democracy

Biden celebrated recent Democratic victories in Tuesday’s elections, including Zohran Mamdani as mayor of New York City and gubernatorial wins for Abigail Spanberger in Virginia and Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey. A Democrat-backed redistricting measure also passed in California.

He interpreted these wins as a message from the American people to Trump and his supporters. Biden reiterated a familiar campaign theme, stressing the fragility of democracy and urging supporters to “put in the work” to elect leaders who will defend it.