Trump says US would have been 'finished' if Kamala Harris or Joe Biden remained in power

Trump labeled Kamala Harris and Joe Biden as 'morons' while emphasizing that his 2020 election victory was crucial for the nation’s survival
UPDATED FEB 20, 2026
During his visit to Rome, Georgia, President Donald Trump delivered a forceful speech on the economy, trade, and national recovery, sharply criticizing former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris (Getty Images)
During his visit to Rome, Georgia, President Donald Trump delivered a forceful speech on the economy, trade, and national recovery, sharply criticizing former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris (Getty Images)


ROME, GEORGIA: President Donald Trump, during his remarks on the economy and affordability in Rome, Georgia, said that the United States would have been "finished" if the Biden administration were still in charge.

Trump focused on the economy, claiming that the country has finally stopped other nations from taking advantage of American workers and businesses.

Trump slams Joe Biden and Kamala Harris during Georgia visit

While speaking about the cost of living on Thursday, February 19, President Trump didn't hold back his feelings about Kamala Harris and Joe Biden. 

He called the former Vice President a "moron" and told the audience that the country's very existence was at stake during the last election. 

He told the crowd, "If I didn't win this election, and if you had a moron like Kamala, or a moron like Sleepy Joe Biden, if you had these people back, our country would've been finished, we wouldn’t have had a country."

Trump argued that the local area and the rest of the nation have seen a massive recovery since he took office. 

He described the past few years as a "disaster" that has now turned into a "vibrant" success. 

He explained that his tough trade policies were a response to other countries "ripping us off for 50 years," adding, "And now we're doing the same thing to them. And we're being very modest about it. Right Howard? We're being very modest about it."

ROME, GEORGIA - FEBRUARY 19: U.S. President Donald Trump walks onstage before delivering remarks at the Coosa Steel Corporation on February 19, 2026 in Rome, Georgia. Trump delivered remarks on the economy and affordability as the state has started voting to replace the seat vacated by former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump walks onstage before delivering remarks at the Coosa Steel Corporation on February 19, 2026 in Rome, Georgia. Trump delivered remarks on the economy and affordability as the state has started voting to replace the seat vacated by former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Trump talks about reviving American industry through 'Trump tariffs'

During his visit, Trump toured the Coosa Steel Corporation to show how his policies help local businesses. 

He marveled at the new equipment, stating, "I'm looking at all this steel and equipment that just went up because of our tariffs." 

He told the workers that before he was elected, the plant was almost out of business, with shifts dwindling to just one hour a week. Now, he says, business is "booming" with a seven-month backlog of orders.

Trump told the crowd that "tariff" is his favorite word in the dictionary, even joking that it is his "fifth favorite word" after family, God, wife, and children. 

He claimed that without these taxes on foreign goods, "this country would be in such trouble right now." 

He also mentioned that he is waiting for a Supreme Court decision on his trade rules, blaming "China-oriented" people and countries like Canada for trying to stop him. "Canada has ripped us off for years," he added, "Not anymore they are not."

ROME, GEORGIA - FEBRUARY 19: U.S. President Donald Trump walks onstage before delivering remarks at the Coosa Steel Corporation on February 19, 2026 in Rome, Georgia. Trump delivered remarks on the economy and affordability as the state has started voting to replace the seat vacated by former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump walks onstage before delivering remarks at the Coosa Steel Corporation on February 19, 2026 in Rome, Georgia. Trump delivered remarks on the economy and affordability as the state has started voting to replace the seat vacated by former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Trump cuts Biden-era steel rules

During his visit, he also spoke on how he ended "Biden-era exemptions" to protect specialized steel products. 

Joe Biden is seen at the funeral of Tatiana Schlossberg on January 5, 2026 in New York City. (XNY/Star Max/GC Images)
Joe Biden is seen at the funeral of Tatiana Schlossberg on January 5, 2026 in New York City. (XNY/Star Max/GC Images)

He reminded the audience that while other countries "almost put us out of business," his administration is now putting America first. 

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