US President Joe Biden took advantage of former President Donald Trump’s legal troubles to raise funds for his reelection campaign. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Biden’s account shared a link to the Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue along with a graphic featuring Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. The post, which read, “Apropos of nothing, I think today’s a great day to give to my campaign,” was made at the same time Trump was being booked into Fulton County Jail in Georgia on charges of interfering with the 2020 election.
Several conservative commentators, including Kyle Becker and Ben Shapiro, commented on Biden’s fundraising tweet, suggesting it supported Trump’s claims of election interference. Biden had previously posted the same fundraiser-graphic combo with a veiled reference to Trump, urging voters to “compare me to the alternative” rather than “the Almighty” and then donate.
Not only Biden, but Trump himself also fundraised off his legal troubles. The former president posted a fundraiser link with images of his Fulton County mugshot alongside the words “never surrender” and “election interference.” The fundraiser aimed to support Trump’s legal defense. Even Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., joined in the fundraising efforts by putting up mugshot t-shirts for sale as part of the ‘Free Trump Collection’, with proceeds going to Trump’s defense.
Meanwhile, Congressional Republicans initiated an investigation into the Fulton County charges, with Judiciary Committee chair Jim Jordan arguing that the prosecution of the former president was politically motivated, much like previous cases against him.
Biden’s reelection campaign has faced criticism from both within and outside his party, with concerns raised about his age and fitness for office. As the oldest president to serve in the White House, Biden would be 86 at the end of a potential second term. A poll conducted by NBC in June revealed that nearly seven out of ten Americans expressed concerns about Biden’s mental and physical fitness for office.
In utilizing Trump’s legal troubles for fundraising purposes, Biden tapped into the ongoing political tensions between the two politicians. The post not only garnered attention from conservative commentators but also highlighted the divisive nature of American politics. Critics argue that such actions further contribute to the polarization of the nation.
As the 2024 presidential election approaches, both Biden and Trump are expected to continue exploiting their rivalry for political gain. The fundraising efforts based on their legal battles demonstrate how deeply entrenched their competition remains and the willingness to exploit any opportunity to gain an advantage.
Overall, Biden’s campaign link and accompanying graphic served as a reminder of Trump’s legal troubles, allowing the president to appeal to his supporters and potentially attract further donations. Simultaneously, it fueled existing political divisions, with conservatives viewing it as supporting Trump’s claims of election interference. As the election cycle progresses, it is likely that both politicians will continue leveraging their ongoing rivalry to rally their respective bases and secure political support.
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