In a notable shift of strategy, President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign has taken its first direct shot at former President Donald Trump by name. The move comes as Trump is set to appear in a primetime interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity and on the same day he revealed the likelihood of a third criminal indictment looming. In an exclusive statement, the Biden campaign criticized Trump for participating in “softball townhalls” and took a dig at the forthcoming Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where the GOP is expected to officially declare its nominee.
Kevin Munoz, spokesperson for the Biden-Harris reelection campaign, highlighted Trump’s unfulfilled promise of bringing 13,000 manufacturing jobs and a Foxconn plant to Wisconsin, where the GOP convention will be held in a year. The campaign’s decision to target Trump indicates they view him as the most credible threat among the Republican presidential hopefuls.
Previously, Biden relied on the Democratic National Committee (DNC) to address GOP opponents. This more aggressive approach indicates the campaign’s awareness of Trump’s potential influence in the GOP primary field and aims to quell concerns of a slow-paced strategy.
While Trump’s campaign maintains that America was more prosperous during his term, the Biden campaign’s criticism on economic issues aligns with the president’s focus on “Bidenomics” and efforts to strengthen the country’s competitive edge globally. The campaign also emphasizes Biden’s success in creating nearly 800,000 manufacturing jobs during his tenure.
Despite Biden’s promise to ensure the independence of the Department of Justice, the campaign’s decision to criticize Trump on the same day he received a target letter from the DOJ suggests they are not shying away from addressing Trump’s legal challenges.
The Biden campaign is aware of the need to shore up the president’s standing on the economy, given the low approval ratings for his handling of economic matters. As the 2024 presidential race looms, the campaign is gearing up to address key issues and differentiate Biden from potential Republican opponents.
While Biden previously criticized Trump and MAGA Republicans, the recent statement is the first official attack by his campaign, indicating a shift in approach toward addressing the former president and highlighting their anticipation of a competitive 2024 election.
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