President Joe Biden is stepping up his campaign efforts, gearing up to take on his potential 2024 Republican rival, former President Donald Trump, after receiving counsel from his allies, as reported by five sources familiar with the situation.
At an event with the United Auto Workers, Biden decided to publicly criticize Trump beyond just policy, expressing private concerns over union members’ potential support for his predecessor. According to sources, he employed a more pugnacious tone during a fundraiser on the same day, stating, “Since I came off the sidelines to go toe to toe with Donald Trump, we haven’t stopped winning.”
“The truth is, this guy can’t get tired of losing,” Biden added.
According to sources, as Tuesday’s election results were tallied and analyzed, the president was pleased with Democrats’ strong showing after previously unfavorable poll results compared to Trump in crucial battleground states. “The fight that he has in him is starting to come out,” one Biden ally stated.
Other supporters have echoed a desire to see Biden showcase more energy during public appearances. “We’d all like to see him inject some more energy into his speeches and his appearances,” another Biden ally remarked.
A Democratic strategist emphasized, “The path to stronger political standing is a stronger contrast message with Trump.”
In preparations for the UAW event, Biden aimed to criticize Trump’s track record on manufacturing jobs. Following Trump’s criticism of union workers, Biden expressed hope for voters to remember his support during the UAW strike. “Where I come from, it matters,” he addressed the UAW audience.
A White House official disclosed that while the president does not plan to fully engage in campaigning against Trump until early next year, efforts will look for opportunities to do so. Conversations with individuals outside the White House have contributed to Biden’s inclination to intensify his criticism of Trump prior to next year.
Sources familiar with the planning revealed that Biden will target Trump not only on economic issues but also on abortion, an issue where voters in Tuesday’s elections preferred Democrats. Biden directly condemned Trump’s abortion record during a campaign fundraiser, attributing fundamental rights being stripped away to him.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
