Former President Joe Biden has unleashed one of his fiercest critiques yet of Donald Trump, following the release of a national poll showing that Americans overwhelmingly favor Barack Obama over the current commander-in-chief.
The results, compiled by Marquette University, paint a stark picture of Trump’s standing with the American public — and Biden wasted no time seizing the moment to make his point.
A Poll That Says It All
Between September 5 and 24, Marquette University surveyed 1,005 adults across the United States, asking respondents to rate their views on Trump and Obama.
The outcome wasn’t close.
Only 42 percent of Americans said they viewed Trump favorably, while 57 percent viewed him unfavorably — giving the current president a net favorability score of -15.
By contrast, Obama received 57 percent favorability and 40 percent unfavorability, a net positive of +17 — a striking 32-point difference between the two men.
It’s the kind of statistic that lands like a thunderclap in an election season already defined by division, fatigue, and growing anxiety about the direction of the country.
Biden’s Scathing Rebuke
Speaking at a Nebraska Democratic Party gala in Omaha over the weekend, Biden tore into Trump — both metaphorically and literally — over what he called the president’s “wrecking ball approach” to governing.
“I knew Trump was going to take a wrecking ball to the country,” Biden told the crowd. “But I had no idea — I have to admit — I didn’t know there was going to be an actual wrecking ball.”
The audience laughed, but Biden’s tone quickly hardened.
“It’s a perfect symbol of his presidency,” he continued. “Trump has taken a wrecking ball not only to the people’s house, but to the Constitution, to the rule of law, and to our very democracy.”
The comments referred in part to Trump’s controversial demolition of the East Wing of the White House earlier this year, where he ordered construction on what he reportedly called “the most beautiful ballroom in history.”
Biden didn’t let the metaphor go to waste.
“He says we’re in a ‘golden age.’ The only gold is the stuff he’s hanging on the mantle,” Biden quipped. “You work for us, Mr. President. We don’t work for you — not for the billionaires, not for the donors, not for yourself. For us.”
The former president’s fiery remarks drew a standing ovation — one that reflected not just partisan energy, but a lingering nostalgia for what some Democrats see as a steadier, more unifying time in American politics.
A Battle of Legacies
For Biden, the poll’s results were more than numbers — they were a reminder of the shifting legacy wars now defining the Democratic Party.
Obama remains the gold standard among Democrats and independents alike, seen as an emblem of decency, intellect, and optimism.
Trump, by contrast, continues to polarize Americans in ways no modern leader has. While he maintains a fiercely loyal base, his favorability among swing voters has stagnated — a warning sign for Republicans heading into 2028.
Still, Biden’s renewed public presence — despite his ongoing battle with prostate cancer — signals that the 82-year-old isn’t ready to fade quietly into the background.
Fighting Spirit Amid Health Struggles
In May, Biden’s office revealed that he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, with metastasis to the bone and a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) — one of the most severe classifications.
The announcement sent shockwaves through political circles. But just weeks after completing a course of radiation therapy, Biden appeared back on the campaign circuit, looking thinner but determined.
“I thank God for the doctors, the nurses, and the incredible breakthroughs we’re making in cancer research,” he told supporters during a CNN town hall.
Then, turning his remarks back toward policy, he added:
“Now Trump and his Republican friends are cutting funding for health care — making it more expensive for virtually everyone. It’s wrong. It’s cruel. And it’s not who we are.”
His message was clear: the personal is political.
The Symbolism of a Wrecking Ball
Biden’s choice of words — a “wrecking ball presidency” — echoed throughout the political world in the hours following his speech.
Some viewed it as a sharp rhetorical return to the kind of plainspoken, emotional politics that once defined his career. Others saw it as a man confronting not only his rival but his own mortality — determined to leave a final warning.
The symbolism was hard to miss: a president rebuilding his legacy versus one tearing it down.
As Biden put it, “Trump’s not just knocking down walls — he’s knocking down what they stand for.”
The Road Ahead
For Democrats, the poll results offer both comfort and caution. Comfort in knowing that Obama’s vision of leadership still resonates — and caution that Trump’s influence, though diminished, remains potent.
For Biden, it was a moment to speak with the freedom of someone no longer bound by campaign discipline — a man unafraid to call it as he sees it, even while battling illness.
And for Americans watching from afar, it was a glimpse into a deepening divide — not only between parties, but between two starkly different visions of what leadership, democracy, and legacy mean in 2025.
James Jenkins is a celebrated Pulitzer Prize-winning author whose work has reshaped the way readers think about social justice and human rights in America. Raised in Atlanta, Georgia, James grew up in a community that instilled in him both resilience and a strong sense of responsibility toward others. After studying political science and creative writing at Howard University, he worked as a journalist covering civil rights issues before dedicating himself fully to fiction. His novels are known for their sharp, empathetic portraits of marginalized communities and for weaving personal stories with broader political realities. Jenkins’s breakout novel, Shadows of Freedom, won national acclaim for its unflinching look at systemic inequality, while his more recent works explore themes of identity, resilience, and the fight for dignity in the face of oppression. Beyond his novels, James is an active public speaker, lecturing at universities and participating in nonprofit initiatives that support literacy and community empowerment. He believes that storytelling is a way to preserve history and inspire change. When not writing, James enjoys jazz music, mentoring young writers, and traveling with his family to explore cultures and stories around the world.
