In an early‑morning post on his Truth Social platform, former President Donald Trump delivered a blistering response to President Joe Biden’s first public address since leaving the White House. Trump’s comments—calling Biden “the worst president in the history of the United States”—came less than 24 hours after Biden appeared at a Chicago conference for advocates of people with disabilities and issued a veiled critique of the previous administration’s approach to Social Security.
Biden’s First Speech Since Exiting the White House
On Tuesday, April 15, Joe Biden appeared at the Advocates, Counselors and Representatives for the Disabled (ACRD) conference in Chicago, marking his first major public address since his term concluded in January. In his remarks, the former president focused on ongoing threats to Social Security, warning that certain Republican lawmakers advocated for periodic expirations of the program unless Congress reauthorized it every five years.
“We also face the constant threat of some members—Republican members of Congress—who want to cut and gut Social Security,” Biden said. “They want to let it expire every five years unless it’s reauthorized. Who the hell do they think they are?”
Although Biden did not explicitly name Trump during his conference speech, the reference to the prior administration’s proposed modifications to entitlement programs was unmistakable. Biden’s speech underscored his continued commitment to protecting Social Security and Medicare, key components of his domestic policy legacy.
Trump’s Early‑Morning Retort
Less than twelve hours after Biden’s address, Donald Trump took to Truth Social—his self‑branded “social media platform for patriots”—to deliver a sharp rebuke. In a post published on the morning of April 16, Trump accused his former vice president of presiding over a surge in crime and illegal immigration, faults he attributed directly to Biden’s administration and policies.
“Sleepy Joe Biden, THE WORST PRESIDENT IN THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES, has allowed millions of criminals—many of them murderers, drug dealers, and people released from prisons and mental institutions from all around the world—to enter our country through its very dangerous and ill‑conceived open border,” Trump wrote.
He continued with a declaration of his own priorities if reinstated to the White House:
“Sorry, but it’s my job to get these killers and thugs out of here. THAT’S WHAT I GOT ELECTED TO DO. MAGA!”
Trump’s post blends two of his long‑standing themes: a hardline stance on immigration and a critique of Democratic crime policy. By invoking his “Make America Great Again” slogan, Trump positioned himself as the bulwark against what he portrayed as Biden’s lax border enforcement and permissive attitude toward criminal justice.
Context: Immigration, Crime, and Enforcement
Trump’s criticism of Biden’s “open border” reflects a broader political debate over the nation’s immigration policy. Since taking office, President Biden has faced repeated calls from Republicans to tighten border security—a departure from the Trump administration’s aggressive detention and deportation strategies.
In recent weeks, the Biden White House has also confronted rising concerns over violent crime rates in several American cities. Trump leveraged both issues in his post, suggesting that his return to power would once again shift the pendulum toward stricter immigration enforcement and tougher crime policies.
Trump’s statement also alluded to a controversial proposal he discussed earlier in the week: extending deportation efforts to include U.S. citizens convicted of violent crimes. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the idea as an option to remove “violent criminals” from communities, indicating that the administration was exploring all legal avenues to address public safety concerns.
Harvard Funding Dispute: A Side Note
In a separate Truth Social post also published on April 16, Trump weighed in on a dispute between President Biden’s predecessor, Barack Obama, and Harvard University. The controversy erupted when Harvard announced it would pause approximately $2.3 billion in federal funding for certain research programs following judicial scrutiny.
Obama publicly criticized this decision, urging the university to maintain its funding levels and protect academic freedom. Trump seized the opportunity to voice his own critique of Harvard, accusing the institution of hiring “woke, radical left idiots and ‘birdbrains’” who teach “hate and stupidity.” He concluded his message with a call to rescind all federal funds for the Ivy League school.
“Harvard is a JOKE, teaches Hate and Stupidity, and should no longer receive Federal Funds. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” Trump wrote.
This remark underscored Trump’s willingness to align with conservative critiques of higher education, casting himself as a champion of “traditional values” in academia.
Analysis: Political Strategy and Implications
Trump’s rapid-fire responses on Truth Social serve multiple strategic purposes:
- Reasserting His Base: By attacking Biden’s record on Social Security, crime, and immigration, Trump reminds his supporters of the policy battles that defined his presidency and energized his political base.
- Framing the Debate: Trump’s characterization of Biden as “the worst president” sets a stark contrast between the two leaders. It frames the upcoming election cycle as a referendum on whether to return to Trump’s policies or continue under Biden’s vision.
- Leveraging Partisan Divides: On entitlement reform, immigration, and academic freedom, Trump touches on hot-button issues that sharply divide Republican and Democratic voters. His comments aim to galvanize conservative voters while drawing clear battle lines against the Biden–Obama legacy.
- Echoing Populist Rhetoric: The informal, combative tone of Trump’s Truth Social posts—complete with all‑caps emphasis and colloquial language—reinforces his outsider, populist brand. It contrasts with the more traditional presidential communications style employed by Biden and other mainstream politicians.
Reactions from Allies and Opponents
Republican Response: Many Republican leaders quickly applauded Trump’s statements. House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R‑NY) retweeted his posts with supportive comments, while Senator Josh Hawley (R‑MO) praised Trump’s focus on border security and crime.
Democratic Pushback: Democratic campaign strategists dismissed Trump’s criticisms as fearmongering. Former White House Communications Director Jen Psaki labeled the posts “desperate politicking,” arguing that Biden’s record on Social Security protections and crime reduction efforts spoke for itself.
Media Coverage: News outlets highlighted the contrasting styles: Biden’s prepared, policy‑focused conference speech versus Trump’s spontaneous, social‑media tirade. Pundits debated whether Trump’s remarks would resonate with moderate voters concerned about tone and temperament.
Looking Ahead: 2028 and the Battle for the Future
While Presidential elections lie years away, these early salvos signal the enduring intensity of the Trump–Biden political dynamic. Trump’s fierce rebuttal demonstrates his intent to remain a central figure in Republican politics—whether as a candidate or as a kingmaker—by keeping attention squarely on cultural and policy controversies.
For the Biden camp, the response will likely focus on highlighting legislative successes on Social Security, recent infrastructure investments, and any measurable reductions in violent crime rates. The administration may also push back by emphasizing bipartisan cooperation and the professional tenor of official communications.
Conclusion
Donald Trump’s harsh characterization of Joe Biden as “the worst president in the history of the United States” underscores the deep partisan chasm that defines contemporary American politics. Trump’s reaction to Biden’s first post‑presidency speech—coupled with his simultaneous attacks on higher education funding—illustrates his ongoing strategy: mobilize his base by drawing clear ideological contrasts and leveraging hot‑button issues.
As the nation continues to grapple with challenges of retirement security, crime, and border management, the rhetorical battle between Trump’s populist appeals and Biden’s institutional approach will shape the policy discourse. For now, the early‑morning Truth Social posts serve as a reminder that the political war of words shows no sign of abating—both sides remain firmly entrenched, each determined to claim the mantle of American leadership.
