Staff Reports
President Joe Biden, fully embracing his role as the blusterer-in-chief, took to the podium this past Tuesday to stir up more political drama regarding a comedian’s jab at former President Donald Trump during a recent rally. While most Americans were concerned about serious issues, the commander-in-chief seemed to have his priorities set on taking swipes at Trump rather than addressing any of the pressing concerns facing the nation.
During a media event at the Baltimore harbor, Biden boasted about reallocating $3 billion from his Inflation Reduction Act to spruce up ports across 27 states and territories, including Puerto Rico. Yet, amid this funding announcement, he casually suggested an urge to throw someone “for a swim” in the harbor. It remains unclear who this ominously cryptic reference was aimed at, but the underlying implication is impossible to ignore. The Democrats appear to have a penchant for making veiled threats these days.
President Biden: "We're delivering $3 billion in funding…to help cleanup and modernize ports…from Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan and beyond. Including yes, Puerto Rico. I'd like to take that guy for a swim out there." pic.twitter.com/lkF41tM6nb
— CSPAN (@cspan) October 29, 2024
With a knack for referencing “that guy,” Biden’s comments echoed his past subtleties about Trump, such as wanting to take him behind the gym for a good old-fashioned tussle. Biden never names names, but he seems to have a special way of talking about Trump that makes it obvious who he’s targeting. It’s almost as if they have a mental list of acceptable sparring partners in the Democratic locker room, and Trump holds the top spot.
The comedian in the spotlight, Tony Hinchcliffe, happened to deliver a punchline at Trump’s rally about a so-called floating island of garbage. Naturally, his quip promptly ignited outrage from the left, who appear to believe outrage is their only emotional outlet. Even Jon Stewart, the former king of political comedy, weighed in to call out the excessive response to Hinchcliffe’s on-stage jokes. While Stewart agrees it was perhaps ill-conceived to have a roast comedian at such a politically charged event, he also noted that comedians should be allowed to poke fun without the outrage machines kicking into high gear.
“I'd like to take that guy for a swim out there" – Biden, casually threatening Donald Trump pic.twitter.com/cb1ovNXKMP
— Kevin Dalton (@TheKevinDalton) October 29, 2024
Stewart couldn’t resist taking a jab at Vice President Kamala Harris’s rally, likening Hinchcliffe’s roast to having Beyoncé perform without actually singing. Apparently, the vice president is trying to hit a home run with star power while enabling an atmosphere where the comedy roast is left in the locker room along with the clever jokes. One wonders if Democrats are just not equipped to handle the reality that jokes can be funny, regardless of the subject matter.
As Biden rolls out these dramatic proclamations and threats cloaked in light-heartedness, the question remains: are Americans ready for a leader who prefers to threaten and jest rather than focus on responsible governance? The public’s skepticism about Biden’s fitness for office should serve as a loud clarion call that they expect serious leadership in serious times, not the whimsical antics of a political sideshow.
