Joe Biden slammed for comparing Trump to George Wallace despite past affinity for late Alabama governor
WASHINGTON, DC: During an appearance on MSNBC on Monday, July 8, President Joe Biden criticized his predecessor, Donald Trump, by comparing him to the infamous segregationist George Wallace. This comes despite Biden having previously boasted during his first presidential campaign about receiving an honor from the late Alabama Governor, according to the New York Post.
Biden said, "I can’t think of a candidate in my lifetime who’s been more extreme." He added that Donald Trump "makes George Wallace look like a patriot."
Joe Biden compares Donald Trump to George Wallace
Joe Biden, meanwhile, has questionable ties to George Wallace, who infamously declared in his 1963 inauguration speech that his state would adhere to "segregation now, segregation tomorrow, and segregation forever."
Notably, during his presidential campaign, Senator Joe Biden from Delaware told Southerners that the lower half of his state was culturally part of Dixie.
He also reminded them that former Alabama Governor George Wallace had praised him as "one of the outstanding young politicians of America," according to a May 1, 1987, Detroit Free Press article titled "Sunbelt votes key to the White House."
As the Philadelphia Inquirer noted in September of that year, Biden had made conflicting remarks about civil rights while campaigning in Alabama. He stated, "We (Delawareans) were on the South's side in the Civil War," and bragged about an award he had received from George Wallace in 1973.
However, it's uncertain whether Biden ever received a physical reward from Wallace, who stood for president four times in a row between 1964 and 1976, given his recognized propensity for hyperbole.
Moreover, as early as 1975, then-Senator Biden praised Wallace, citing him as a role model for the Democratic Party.
He told the Inquirer that October, "I think the Democratic Party could stand a liberal George Wallace. Someone who’s not afraid to stand up and offend people and wouldn’t pander but would say what the American people know in their gut is right."
However, the campaign pointed out that Biden had previously stated that he would support then-President Gerald Ford if Wallace won the Democratic nomination in 1976. This clarification came to light during the 2020 election cycle when Biden's past admiration for the late Wallace, who passed away in 1998, was scrutinized.
A Biden campaign spokesperson said at the time, "As a young Senator, Joe Biden declared that if George Wallace — an unhinged, racist maniac — became the presidential nominee of his party, he would support Gerald Ford."
Internet criticized Joe Biden for comparing Donald Trump to George Wallace
Several internet users mocked Joe Biden for comparing Donald Trump to George Wallace, pointing out that Biden had boasted during his first presidential campaign about receiving an honor from the late Alabama governor.
Some online comments read, "He compared him to a Democrat?" while one added, "Biden says some ridiculous outrageously false claims about Trump."
A person also stated, "This guy's lies more before breakfast than any of us do in a weeks time....and anyone...hear me Democrats who believes this junk is dead above their shoulders!" while one added, "Does anybody believe Biden remembers George Wallace? He doesn't remember where the White House is." [sic]
A user also wrote, "Joe Biden loves his segregationist friends. Joe covers up his past but his skeletons are front and center with our American black community who are holding Joe accountable, with no votes his way."
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.
