On 8/25/2022, Joe Biden spoke at a fundraiser in nearby Bethesda, Maryland. Biden raised about $1 million at an event with about 100 donors for the Democratic National Committee and the Democratic Grassroots Victory Fund in the backyard of a lavish Bethesda home. Then Biden held a campaign rally at Richard Montgomery High School in the D.C. suburb of Rockville, Maryland. During the rally, Joe Biden slurred, mumbled, lost his train of thought numerous times, wandered away from the podium, and screamed at the audience.
“I don’t respect these MAGA Republicans,” Biden said. screaming: “the very survival of our planet is on the vallot!”
The events, in the safely Democratic Washington suburbs, were meant to ease Biden into what White House aides say will be an aggressive season of championing his policy victories and aiding his party’s candidates. He is aiming to turn months of legislative accomplishments into political energy as Democrats have seen their hopes rebound amid a legacy-defining burst of action by Biden and Congress.
On 8/26/2022, during press briefing, a reporter asked White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, “Is this something we’re going to hear more of — that phrase? Is it something the President’s going to kind of embrace? Or is there any sense that it was, you know, a little impromptu and it’s going to turn into a kind of “basket of deplorables” thing that he regrets and then tries to be quiet about?
JEAN-PIERRE: Look, I was very clear when — when laying out and defining what, you know, MAGA Republicans have done. And you look at the definition of “fascism,” and you think about what they’re doing … I mean, that is what that is; it is very clear. And that’s why he made that — that — that powerful speech that you heard from him last night. And he has not shied away from saying that. You have heard him — maybe not use that specific word, but you have heard him certainly use that definition. And look, what we — again, what we are putting before the American people is a choice …
Reporter: The President yesterday suggested that Republican ideology is veering towards “semi-fascism.” Can you just clarify what exactly does the President mean by that? And secondly, the President also said he respects conservative Republicans, but he does not respect MAGA Republicans. More than 70 million Americans voted for Trump in 2020. Does he not respect those voters?
JEAN-PIERRE: No, I mean, that’s not what he said. I’m going to — I think he was pretty clear. And he was very powerful last night. Look, what the President said last night was that when it comes to MAGA Republicans, when it comes to the extreme, ultra wing of Republicans, they are attacking democracy. Right? They are attacking — taking away rights and freedoms … He called it what it is and what many, we would argue, you know, historians would agree with us on. And so what Joe Biden believes is, as President, he should and Presidents should be the strongest voice for democracy. And so, he was making that very clear. He was making that contrast to what congressional Democrats have been doing, which is fighting for our rights, fighting for freedom, delivering on an economy that is historic … what you’re asking me about Republicans who are conservative, clearly, he said that he believed there are traditional conservative Republicans. He was very clear on that. He specifically called out and mentioned Maryland Governor Larry Hogan as one of them. So — but we have to really, you know, make sure that we — we — we make it clear that there’s a choice in front of the American people — right? — and we have to make sure that we make it loud and clear that when it comes to MAGA Republicans, we call that out — and that’s what he did …
Reporter: … He thinks that taping a segment with Jay Leno this afternoon is insensitive and tone deaf.
JEAN-PIERRE: Again, this is something that’s very personal to the President. He — … And again, no President feels more strongly about our troops and their families than this President …
Reporter: But is it a good day to film something with a comedian? I mean, is that — are you worried about the optics of that at all?
JEAN-PIERRE: What I will tell you is that this is a day — a … So I — we do not take this lightly. We take this very seriously.
https://facebook.com/HygoNewsUSA/videos/1868334140172622
Biden: “I don’t respect these MAGA Republicans”; WH: Biden does not regret calling out Republicans.