USA · 28 June, 2026 · 2 min read
Joe Biden Calls Donald Trump a Loser at Maryland Gala, Citing Corruption and Vanity Projects
Biden accused Trump of corruption, narcissism, and incompetence. He cited Trump's Washington renovations as vanity projects, including the Reflecting Pool and arch.
How the speech’s “corruption” is grounded (Reflecting Pool vs broader corruption/pardons).
1 of 2 outlets skipped it: biden joked to get offstage direction after speech ended..
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The Guardian
“He also invoked how the administration has been seeking to compensate”Read the original ↗
Shifts emphasis from one scandal to a wider corruption narrative.
Biden’s “Loser” Attack
Former President Joe Biden called President Donald Trump “a loser” during a Saturday night keynote at the Maryland Democratic Party’s “Fight Back & Win” gala in Hanover, Maryland, using the event to accuse Trump of corruption and vanity projects. Biden targeted Trump’s $14.7 million renovation of the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool, which he said was undermined by an algae bloom, and he also criticized Trump’s demolition of the White House East Wing to make room for a ballroom.
Biden’s speech came exactly two years after a disastrous televised debate with Trump on June 28, 2024, which prompted Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. In the same remarks, Biden said, “It’s the corruption—the corruption, the brazen, blatant corruption,” and he added, “Corruption on a scale never seen before in American history in any administration.”
Crowd, Protest, and Officials
At the Maryland casino event in Hanover, attendees showered affection on Biden as Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott called him “my favorite president,” while Maryland Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller described a time Biden called to wish her mother a happy 86th birthday.
Biden lit into Trump, saying, “He has no shame. And, frankly, it’s embarrassing for the country,” as a pro-Palestinian protester was booed and escorted from the room.
The Washington Post reported that the Maryland Democratic Party said Biden’s appearance raised $250,000, the most since Moore was inaugurated in 2023, and it described Biden’s remarks as part of Democrats’ effort ahead of the November midterms.
CNN also reported that Biden’s 10-minute speech amounted to one of his most pointed critiques of Trump since leaving office, and it quoted Biden saying, “Woah! What a loser.”
What It Signals Next
Biden’s remarks framed Trump’s Washington projects as part of a broader pattern, with the Hill reporting that Biden said, “It’s not just his vanity projects,” and that he described the reflecting pool as reflecting “the narcissism and incompetence at the core of this administration.” The Hill also reported that Trump’s efforts to renovate the Reflecting Pool have not gone smoothly, as officials battled an algae bloom and alleged vandalism since the site was repainted and repaired.
In the same speech, Biden accused Trump of wanting to give “taxpayers’ money, your money, to the January 6th insurrectionists,” and CNN quoted him saying, “These people don’t deserve to be compensated.” The Hill tied the remarks to the political calendar by noting that the gala was hosted by the Maryland Democratic Party and that Biden’s comments came in a rare public appearance as he battles an aggressive form of prostate cancer since leaving office.