Daijiworld Media Network – Washington
Washington, May 7: In a bold and strikingly candid interview — his first since stepping down from office — former U.S. President Joe Biden has openly criticised his successor Donald Trump, voicing grave concerns over the trajectory of U.S. foreign policy and the fragile state of transatlantic alliances.
Speaking from a hotel in Delaware, where his political journey began over five decades ago, Biden exuded both calmness and urgency, flanked by the familiar presence of security and protocol. But beneath the composed exterior lay frustration, particularly over Trump’s rhetoric and stance towards U.S. allies, especially Ukraine.
Taking aim at Trump’s controversial remarks on global affairs, Biden asked:
“What President ever talks like that? That’s not who we are. We’re about freedom, democracy, opportunity — not about confiscation.”
The remark came in response to Trump’s cavalier comments about global territories — including hypothetical claims over Greenland, Canada, and even Panama. Biden found such talk unbecoming of American leadership.
He was particularly incensed by Trump's behaviour in a now-infamous Oval Office confrontation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier this year.
“I found it beneath America, the way that took place,” Biden said, referring to the explosive diplomatic exchange. “Trump is appeasing Putin with pressure on Ukraine. That’s not strength — it’s surrender.”
While Trump has frequently invoked Biden’s name — over 580 times in public statements during his first 100 days back in office — the former president had, until now, refrained from direct confrontation.
But Biden’s central concern lies not in partisan politics, but in what he views as a growing threat to the Atlantic Alliance — the cornerstone of post-WWII peace and security in the West.
“We kept the peace for 80 years. This alliance isn’t about politics — it’s about values. If it collapses, we’re in real danger.”
Biden’s decision to speak out marks a break from the traditional restraint usually observed by former presidents. It reflects what analysts see as an unprecedented moment in U.S. political history — where norms are being rewritten, not only by Trump’s actions but by the response they provoke.
As Trump continues to reshape his image ahead of a possible re-election campaign, Biden’s rare but sharp rebuke serves as a reminder that American politics, and its global message, remain deeply divided.