'Stop vote shaming': Biden draws flak for implying voters who sit election out are 'to blame' if he loses to Trump

WASHINGTON, DC: President Joe Biden warned that those who abstain from voting in the upcoming election could be held responsible if he loses to former President Donald Trump.

The 81-year-old made the remark during a radio interview for WURD's 'The Source w⧸Andrea Lawful-Sanders' on Thursday, July 4, when host Andrea lawful-Sanders asked what he had to say to those who plan to sit out the November election.

"Same thing that was said to me when I was a young kid getting out of school during the Civil Rights movement: If you don't do something about, you're to blame. You're responsible. And we did in my generation, we got up and we got involved. That's how I got involved in politics," Biden replied, according to Mediaite.

The president also criticized Trump and the recent Supreme Court ruling on immunity in the interview after his chaotic week due to the dismal presidential debate performance that could potentially jeopardize his re-election candidacy.

Joe Biden criticizes Donald Trump's continuing claims of 2020 election

Emphasizing the importance of the civil rights movement, Biden added that he ran for president to ensure the significant black population of his state had a "fair chance" to "sit at lunch counters."

"What would that have happened if we didn't have people showing up and voting?" Biden asked.

The Democrat then accused Trump of making it "harder for people to vote," adding the Republican rival still had not admitted his 2020 election loss despite multiple court cases.

"Now he said if he loses in 2024, it'll be a bloodbath. Can you imagine the president saying that? Bloodbath?" Biden said, referring to the former president's warning of a "bloodbath" for the auto industry during an Ohio rally in March.

The president directed his criticism towards this week's Supreme Court ruling that said presidents had "absolute immunity" over official acts under constitutional authority that came out in favor of Trump. Labeling the ruling a "decision that threatens America," Biden added that the SCOTUS granted his opponent "complete power to use his office to exact revenge, organize a coup, become the dictator."

Warning that the stakes were really high in light of the immunity ruling, the octogenarian urged voters to make use of their right to vote. "We're working harder and harder to protect it, so show up and vote for your own safety. Show up and vote for your own safety's sake," Biden added.

Moreover, he also referred to Trump's "Black jobs" remark made during the debate, where he claimed illegal immigrants were taking away the jobs of Black people. The president described the remark as "shameful," adding that the real estate mogul talked down to people without respect.

Joe Biden slammed for warning voters would be blamed if he loses to Donald Trump

Netizens accused Biden of "vote shaming" as he said voters who decided to sit the election out would bear responsibility if he lost to Trump in November.

"Lol. nope. stop vote shaming. people have the right not to vote," a user wrote.

"Shifting the blame. Sick and toxic," another remarked.

"OMG. He continues to use the same old lame lines and words in his answers. This guy is so out of touch. Nobody gives shit about his dad, Scranton Pa, him taking the train to work and all the other personal andedotes. Man he needs to go," added a user.

"Brilliant. Blame people for not voting for you," read another response.

"LOL! Now there's a positive campaign message, threaten and insult people that you want to vote for you," a user commented below the Mediaite article.

"Don’t blame voters when you lose, Biden. Blackmail is not a strategy. Weak," another one said.

"Not sure blaming the holdouts is the best strategy, Joe. You want to win voters over, not turn them against you," someone else chimed in.

"People who lay the blame on others need to look in the mirror," an individual noted.

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