November 2, 2024
President Joe Biden raised eyebrows on Saturday with a peculiar remark aimed at former President Donald Trump and other Republican politicians. Speaking at a Carpenters Local 445 Union event in his hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania, Biden made a strange joke about wanting to “smack” Trump and his GOP allies “on the a–.” The comment, delivered in Biden’s trademark folksy style, seemed to amuse the union crowd but quickly sparked mixed reactions across social media.
During the event, which took place around 1:30 p.m., Biden criticized Republicans for what he claimed were plans to pass “another giant tax cut for the wealthy.” He went on to say, “Now, I know some of you guys are tempted to think it’s macho… I’ll tell you what, man. When I was in Scranton, we used to have a little trouble going down the plot once in a while.” Biden’s choice of words got laughs from the crowd, but his next remark took an unexpected turn.
“But I’m serious,” Biden said, leaning into his point. “These are the kind of guys [sic] you’d like to smack in the a–,” prompting cheers and laughter from the audience. The unconventional comment quickly circulated online, drawing both amusement and criticism, with many questioning the appropriateness of such language from the sitting president.
While some Biden supporters took the comment in stride, viewing it as a bit of tough-talk banter aimed at his political opponents, others saw it as an unnecessary distraction. Social media was soon filled with varied takes on the president’s latest off-script moment, with detractors calling it another example of Biden’s frequent verbal slips and supporters arguing it shows his “relatability.”
The White House did not immediately respond to requests for clarification on Biden’s remark, leaving it open to interpretation. However, the president’s comment seems likely to add fuel to an already polarized election season, with Biden and Trump expected to face off once again in 2024.
The Scranton appearance was part of Biden’s continued push to rally union support in battleground states, where he has focused on issues like workers’ rights, economic growth, and what he frames as Republicans’ pro-corporate policies. His remarks Saturday seemed to be aimed at connecting with a working-class audience, as he referenced his Scranton roots while attacking Trump’s economic policies.
This incident isn’t the first time Biden’s rhetoric has made headlines. Known for his unscripted moments, the president has occasionally stirred controversy with remarks that, like this one, blend humor with blunt criticisms of his opponents. As election season heats up, it remains to be seen how Biden’s comments will resonate with voters or if they will come back to haunt him on the campaign trail.
Sources
- Fox News: Biden makes odd remark about ‘smacking’ Trump, other Republicans on rear-end
- CNN: Biden delivers speech at union event in Scranton
