President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris joined forces in a rare joint appearance in Philadelphia on Wednesday, aiming to bolster support among Black voters. Their initiative, “Black Voters for Biden-Harris,” seeks to engage and mobilize a critical demographic that played a pivotal role in their 2020 election victory. Recent polling in swing states suggests a need for this outreach, as support for the incumbent Democrat president among Black voters appears to be waning.
Addressing supporters at Girard College, Biden and Harris didn’t mince words as they criticized former President Donald Trump’s track record on race. Biden highlighted Trump’s past remarks and actions, including his response to the January 6th Capitol insurrection and his handling of protests following George Floyd’s murder. He also pointed out Trump’s refusal to acknowledge the innocence of the Central Park Five and his use of divisive language that echoes neo-Nazi rhetoric.
In one of his most forceful rebukes of the presumptive Republican nominee, Biden labeled Trump as “clearly unhinged” and suggested that something had “literally snapped” in him after his 2020 electoral defeat. Biden warned that Trump’s potential second term would pose an even greater threat than his first, citing Trump’s propagation of falsehoods and harmful stereotypes.
Biden contrasted Trump’s record with his own administration’s priorities, highlighting initiatives such as student loan debt forgiveness and efforts to combat gun violence. He reaffirmed his belief in America’s capacity for progress and inclusion, urging the audience to stand with him in building a more equitable and promising future.
“America has always been a beacon of hope for progress, where all are welcomed into the fabric of our nation’s promise,” Biden asserted. “I remain optimistic, but I need your support. Are you with me?” he concluded, rallying support for his administration’s agenda and emphasizing the importance of unity in advancing the nation forward.