On Tuesday, President Donald Trump suggested that his predecessor, Joe Biden, was not directly accountable for the migration crisis in the United States. Instead, he claimed that Biden acted under "cognitive impairment" and was "manipulated by his team," whom Trump accuses of betrayal. This statement, shared on his Truth Social platform, came just days after it was publicly revealed that Biden is battling cancer, a situation that has sparked support from various sectors, including Trump himself. However, Trump has faced criticism for missing an opportunity to display leadership and compassion.
"Joe Biden was never for open borders; he never talked about it... It wasn’t his idea to open the border and nearly destroy our country," Trump wrote. "It was those who knew he was cognitively impaired and took control of the Autopen. They stole the presidency from him and put us in great danger," he emphasized.
In the same post, Trump referred to former President Biden in a patronizing manner, asserting that the "Joe Biden we all knew" would never have allowed the uncontrolled entry of criminals, drug dealers, and individuals with mental disorders into the U.S.
According to Trump, the most controversial immigration policies of the Democratic administration were not Biden's decisions but those of a supposed group of conspirators who allegedly hijacked his official signature using the Autopen—a mechanized system for signing documents—and accuses them of committing "high treason."
"Something very severe should happen to these treasonous criminals who tried to destroy our country but failed... because I showed up," he concluded, finishing with his signature slogan: "MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"
Analysts have interpreted the tone of Trump's message as an attempt to reframe Biden's responsibility in the migration crisis while also viewing it as a less empathetic and opportunistic gesture given the recent health announcement regarding the former Democratic president.
Trump has limited his response to a brief and succinct message of support for Biden following the announcement of his illness, yet now portrays him as a puppet manipulated by "traitors." This is not the first time Trump has used Biden's alleged mental fragility as a political weapon. His attacks on the previous White House administration's immigration policy, which starkly contrasts with the current one, have been relentless. However, the current context—marked by Biden's serious illness and the reversal of several of his policies by Trump—has made this new message particularly sensitive and controversial.
It is important to note that Biden is considered one of the most seasoned and experienced politicians in U.S. history, both in terms of age and his extensive career in high-level public offices, which made him a skilled negotiator and diplomat.
Insights on Trump's Statements Regarding Biden's Cognitive State and Immigration Policies
What did Trump claim about Biden's role in the migration crisis?
Trump claimed that Biden was not directly responsible for the migration crisis, suggesting instead that he acted under cognitive impairment and was manipulated by his team.
How did Trump describe the people allegedly controlling Biden?
Trump described them as traitorous conspirators who supposedly took control of Biden's presidency through manipulation and the use of the Autopen system.
What was the reaction to Trump's message about Biden?
The message was seen by analysts as an attempt to recast Biden’s responsibility in the crisis, while also being viewed as insensitive and opportunistic in light of Biden's recent health news.