Presidents Joe Biden and Donald Trump hurled barbs on mental health and electoral predictions during a tense weekend.
At an Ohio campaign event, Trump stammered and said muddled things, such as that Biden had beaten "Barack Hussein Obama" in national elections. A broken teleprompter and a string of grammatical errors marred Trump's speech, leaving viewers perplexed and leading Biden to make light of Trump's mental sharpness.
One candidate is too elderly and intellectually unfit to be president, said Biden during a dinner in Washington, DC. I'm the other one, making light of Trump's advanced years and mental faculties. Biden quipped, alluding to Trump's prior misunderstandings with Obama, "Don't tell him. He believes he is up against Barack Obama.
Trump, meantime, forewarned of catastrophic results and a "bloodbath" for the nation should he lose the impending election. Notwithstanding his comments, Biden's re-election campaign painted the former president's words as radical and motivated by a desire for retribution.
While some Republicans supported Trump, speculating that his remarks might have been misinterpreted, others denounced his divisive language and personal assaults. Former vice president Mike Pence stressed that Trump was not endorsing violence, but rather referring to the financial effects on the auto industry.
Both Biden and Pelosi emphasized the need of winning the next election to protect democracy and American ideals throughout the rhetorical sparring. In denouncing Trump's comments, Pelosi emphasized the need of civility and respect in political debate.
Referring to Putin's aggressiveness in Europe and the continuous attack on voting rights and freedoms, Biden reaffirmed the dangers to democracy as hostilities between the two leaders rise. The confrontation between Trump and Biden highlights the great gulf in American politics and the importance of the next election for the country's destiny.