Former President Joe Biden, now out of office, resurfaced this week with a highly publicized interview on BBC Radio 4’s Today program, where he sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s early performance and foreign policy priorities. The remarks appear to be part of a growing effort by Biden and his allies to rewrite the narrative as Trump’s second term gains momentum.
Biden Slams Trump’s Ukraine Strategy While Deflecting on His Own Failures
Biden took particular aim at President Trump’s calls for a swift end to the Russia-Ukraine war, labeling them as “modern-day appeasement.” He painted Trump’s diplomacy as naive, despite the fact that the conflict began under Biden’s watch in early 2022, after Trump left office.
“Anybody who thinks [Putin is] going to stop is foolish,” Biden claimed—while avoiding questions about his administration’s failure to deter the invasion in the first place.
Trump has repeatedly said that Russia would never have invaded Ukraine if he were still president, pointing to his record of strong sanctions, energy independence, and global deterrence.
Trump and Vance Push for Peace Talks—Biden Calls It “Beneath America”
In February, President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance made headlines after publicly challenging Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a White House meeting, urging an end to endless U.S. aid and pushing for real peace negotiations.
Biden condemned the moment, calling it “beneath America,” and went on a bizarre tangent about Trump’s old remarks on Greenland and Canada, asking, “What president ever talks like that?”
Conservatives argue the exchange reflects Biden’s tone-deaf approach to global affairs, where symbolic outrage takes precedence over practical solutions.
Biden: Trump “Not Acting Like a Republican President”
Asked whether Trump is acting like an autocrat, Biden dodged the question but claimed Trump “wasn’t behaving like a Republican president.” His interviewer called the response “diplomatic”—a telling understatement.
Biden’s attempts to frame Trump as extreme fall flat with many older voters who remember the peace, economic strength, and global respect America enjoyed under Trump’s first term.
Biden Touts His Record—But Critics Point to Inflation, Declining Influence
Despite soaring inflation, record gas prices, and waning international clout under his leadership, Biden tried to defend his legacy.
“We created more jobs than any president in one term,” Biden claimed, referencing economic recovery efforts after pandemic shutdowns he oversaw.
But many economists argue that Trump’s tax cuts, deregulation, and pro-growth agenda laid the foundation for the rebound.
Trump Fires Back: “We Inherited a Mess from Biden”
When asked about economic headwinds this spring, President Trump didn’t mince words.
“It says how bad the situation we inherited,” he said in April. “You can even say the next quarter is still part of Biden’s mess.”
As Trump’s second term charges ahead, with strong approval among middle-class voters and older Americans, Biden’s media tour may do little to rewrite the facts.
Conclusion: As Biden tries to shape the narrative on Trump’s presidency, many Americans—especially those over 50—see a clear difference between four years of conservative leadership and four years of progressive mismanagement. The contrast between the two presidents has never been more obvious.