‘Is he still talking?’: Biden mocks Trump’s record-breaking SOTU address

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA: Former President Joe Biden returned to South Carolina on Friday, February 27, to speak at a South Carolina Democratic Party event in Columbia. 

The former president used the occasion to mock President Donald Trump's recent State of the Union address, which lasted one hour and 48 minutes. 

Biden slams Trump for failing to mention anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine at SOTU

During his remarks, Biden poked fun at the length and focus of Trump’s speech. The Republican leader broke the earlier record set by former President Bill Clinton's 2000 address, which lasted for one hour and 29 minutes.

“By the way, did you see Trump give the State of the Union? Is he still talking?” Biden asked the audience. “I don't know. But folks, it's unbelievable. The guy talks for almost two hours, but never mentions the anniversary of Putin invading Ukraine. Never once.”

The former president continued his criticism of the current administration’s foreign policy, specifically regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. 

“I spent a lot of time in Ukraine and I've met with Putin more than any other world leader has. Incredible bravery of those people. Imagine how they feel, wondering, are we leaving them? We're walking away. He doesn't apologize,” Biden said. 

He also shifted his focus to the upcoming midterm elections, accusing President Trump of attempting to undermine the electoral process.

“He's trying to steal the election, because he knows he can't win your vote,” Biden alleged. “Mark my words.I hope I'm wrong.”

Biden attacks Trump’s economic and border policies

During his speech, Biden also claimed that “border crossings in the United States were lower” during his administration, as he blamed President Trump for not securing the border properly.

He said, “The day I left office, border crossings in the United States were lower than the day that I entered an office inherited from Trump. He is — I won't say it. That's just a fact.”

Furthermore, Biden hailed himself for making the US the “strongest economy," adding, “On the day I left office, I handed Trump the strongest economy in the world. In the world, that's not hyperbole. That's a fact!”

Biden makes rare public appearance in South Carolina

Biden made this rare public appearance in South Carolina to bask in the appreciation of Democrats who supported his presidential campaign six years ago.

Even though people criticize Biden for his unsuccessful run for a second term, which eventually led to Trump returning to the White House, the crowd in South Carolina treated him like a hero. 

As he took the stage at an art museum in downtown Columbia, his longtime ally, Representative Jim Clyburn, introduced him to a cheering audience.