Joe Biden attacks Donald Trump and addresses Putin: what to remember from his State of the Union speech

Le Président américain Joe Biden. Consolidated News Photos – Annabelle Gordon – CNP

Le président américain Joe Biden s'en est vivement pris jeudi à Donald Trump et aux républicains lors de son dernier discours sur l'état de l'Union avant l'élection présidentielle du 5 novembre, accusant son prédécesseur de menacer la démocratie aux Etats-Unis.

While the two men have been assured since Tuesday of obtaining the nomination of their respective parties, Joe Biden accused Donald Trump of having distorted the truth about the assault on the Capitol of January 6, 2021, for having submitted to Russian President Vladimir Putin and for having torpedoed a bill aimed at controlling illegal immigration on the border between Mexico and the United States Unis.

The president took advantage of his speech, which lasted a little over an hour, to speak directly to millions of Americans and present his vision of another four-year term.

Joe Biden, who spoke before both houses of Congress, began by directly criticizing Donald Trump – without ever mentioning his name – for his statements inviting Russian President Vladimir Putin to invade countries in the US. NATO if they didn't spend more on their defense.

"My predecessor, a former Republican president, told Putin, and I quote: 'Do what you want'&quot ;, said Joe Biden. "I think this is outrageous, dangerous and unacceptable."

The Democratic president, who is putting pressure on Congress to pass new aid to Ukraine, also sent a message to Vladimir Putin. "We will not shy away", he said. Joe Biden emphasized how much he differed from Donald Trump, particularly on the issues of democracy, abortion rights and the economy.

The US president also accused Donald Trump and Republicans of wanting to rewrite history regarding the events of January 6, 2021, when supporters of the former president stormed the Capitol to prevent Congress from validating Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 presidential election.

The duel is on

"My predecessor and some of you are trying to cover up the truth about January 6th. I won't do it, said Joe Biden, which suggests that he will return to this subject during his campaign. "You can't love your country only when you win."

Although Joe Biden faced discontent from some members of his party, opposed to his pro-Israeli policy, enthusiasm prevailed among the Democrats present in Congress. They welcomed the president, encouraging and applauding him as he walked to the lectern. Donald Trump, meanwhile, sent a flurry of hostile messages to Joe Biden on his Truth Social platform.

"He looks so angry when he talks, that's a trait of people who 'lose the ball'", he wrote. "Noise and anger are of no help bring our country together."Polls give Joe Biden, 81, and Donald Trump, 77, neck and neck both nationally and in the "swing states", those states which sometimes vote Democratic, sometimes Republican, where the ;#39;the outcome of the November 5 vote will be played out again this year.

The former president, who continues to assert without proof that the 2020 election was rigged and threatens if he is re-elected to throw prison, anyone who opposes him is the target of several cases for which he has been criminally charged.

The State of the Union address presented an opportunity for Joe Biden to convince voters that he remains the best alternative to a return to power for Donald Trump, promised the Republican nomination after the withdrawal of Nikki Haley from the primaries the day after "Super Tuesday" last Tuesday.

Right to abortion

Joe Biden reiterated his support for abortion rights and pledged to legislate on the subject if enough Democrats are elected to Congress in November.

The Democrats have won numerous elections by campaigning on the subject since the Supreme Court of the United States called this right into question, a direct consequence of the appointment of three conservative judges by Donald Trump. The tenant of the White House also sought to improve his image with the Americans by highlighting the solidity of the American economy.

He proposed to Congress to raise the minimum tax level for businesses and Americans whose fortune exceeds $100 million. Such tax reform is unlikely to succeed unless the Democrats obtain a majority in the Senate and the House of Representatives, in addition to winning the White House, next November.

The US economy shows strong growth in employment, wages and consumer spending despite the persistence of high interest rates imposed by the Federal Reserve to curb inflation. Despite this good record, a majority of Americans say they have more confidence in Donald Trump to manage the economy.

"Joe Biden is running from his record to escape responsibility for the horrible devastation he and his party have created,< /em> wrote Donald Trump in a message published on Truth Social before the start of the State of the Union address. Joe Biden announced the construction by the American army of a temporary port on the Mediterranean coast of the Gaza Strip intended to receive humanitarian aid by sea.< /p>