President Biden’s 2024 campaign has taken a page out of former President Donald Trump’s playbook by employing a strategy of name-calling. Trump famously used nicknames like “Lyin’ Ted” Cruz and “Little Marco” Rubio during his 2016 primary campaign, as well as derogatory terms for Democrats like “Pocahontas” for Sen. Elizabeth Warren, “Cryin'” Chuck Schumer, and “Crazy Nancy” Pelosi. He also referred to his 2016 opponent as “Crooked Hillary” and called Biden “Crazy Joe” during the 2020 campaign. The Biden campaign retaliated by calling Trump “Broke Don” in reference to his financial troubles due to a legal investigation into The Trump Organization.
The Biden campaign’s email mocking Trump’s financial situation and campaign tactics comes as Trump has been critical of Biden for allegedly avoiding the press and staying hidden in his Wilmington, Del. basement during the 2020 race. Trump has accused Biden of not taking questions from reporters and lacking the energy to engage with the public. Despite these criticisms, Biden’s campaign has been successful in fundraising, raising $53 million in February compared to Trump’s $20 million. Biden’s campaign also had significantly more cash on hand going into March, with $155 million compared to Trump’s $41.9 million.
Political strategist Ashley Hayek criticized the Biden campaign’s use of name-calling in their email, suggesting that it reflects poorly on the administration’s leadership and may backfire. She pointed to statistics showing that a majority of Americans view the Department of Justice negatively, potentially as a result of actions taken under Biden’s leadership. Hayek suggested that Biden would be better off running from the basement again, referencing Trump’s criticism of Biden’s low public profile during the 2020 campaign. Trump campaign communications director Steven Cheung also condemned the Biden campaign’s tactics, calling Biden a “cognitively impaired freakshow candidate” and warning that they are in for a rude awakening if they think they can outplay Trump in the name-calling game.
The Biden campaign’s email mocking Trump’s financial troubles and campaign strategy drew further criticism from political commentators and analysts. The email, titled “Not a Winning Campaign: Broke Don Hides in Basement” was shared by Reuters correspondent Nandita Bose, sparking a conversation about the effectiveness of such tactics in political campaigns. While Trump has a history of using personal attacks and nicknames to undermine his opponents, Biden’s decision to adopt a similar strategy raises questions about the level of discourse in modern politics. Critics argue that resorting to name-calling detracts from substantive policy debates and may ultimately harm the credibility of the candidates involved.
As the 2024 election cycle heats up, the use of name-calling and personal attacks in political campaigns is likely to remain a contentious issue. While some argue that such tactics can be effective in mobilizing supporters and capturing media attention, others caution that they contribute to a toxic political environment and distract from more important issues. The ongoing rivalry between Biden and Trump, as exemplified by the recent exchange of insults and criticisms, underscores the deeply polarized nature of American politics and the challenges facing both candidates as they seek to secure victory in the upcoming election. Ultimately, the success or failure of these campaign strategies will depend on the response of voters and the extent to which they prioritize character attacks over policy positions and governance.
