OMAHA, Neb. — Former President Joe Biden, appearing with a fresh bandage on his head, delivered a fiery speech to Nebraska Democrats on Friday, invoking the memory of his late son Beau while sharply criticizing President Trump and Republican policies on health care and government funding.
In an emotional address at the Nebraska Democratic Party’s Ben Nelson Gala, Biden suggested that his eldest son, Beau Biden, who died of brain cancer in 2015, should have been the one elected president in 2020 instead of himself. The 82-year-old ex-president, who turns 83 on Nov. 20, used the platform to lambast Trump for what he described as cuts to cancer research funding, tying it directly to his family's personal tragedies.
“Folks, I know what cancer research means,” Biden said, according to a transcript of the speech. “Cancer hits every family. It’s hit my family hard.”
He went on to recount Beau's service and illness in poignant detail. “When the love of my life, my oldest son, the attorney general of the state of Delaware – who should’ve been the president, not me – volunteered to go to Iraq for a year, didn’t have to, he came back with stage four glioblastoma because he lived in a burn pit just like those guys did on 9/11, and he died,” Biden said quietly, his voice reflecting the weight of the loss.
Beau Biden, a former Delaware attorney general, served in the Delaware Army National Guard and was deployed to Iraq in 2008. He was diagnosed with glioblastoma in 2013 and passed away on May 30, 2015, at the age of 46. The elder Biden has frequently linked his son's cancer to exposure to toxic burn pits during his military service, a connection that has been the subject of ongoing debate and research in veterans' health circles.
Biden also referenced his own recent health battles, noting his diagnosis with stage four prostate cancer earlier this year. “But when you get that research, research, they’re, they’re doing, when they diagnose it – in my case, I just had prostate cancer – so, and, I, uh, when you finish that round of treatment, you get to ring that bell at the end of each treatment,” he said. “Well, thank God for the doctors and nurses and incredible breakthroughs we’re making in cancer research.”
The former president accused Trump and Republicans of undermining these efforts. “Now, Trump and his Republican friends are cutting government funding for health care, making it more expensive,” Biden charged. He argued that such cuts were intended to benefit the wealthy through tax reductions. “Why in God’s name are they doing this?” he shouted, emphasizing that the motivation was to “cut taxes for the wealthiest people in America.”
“Trump and his Republican friends are cutting government funding for health care, making it more expensive. Why in God’s name are they doing this? ... [It's] to cut taxes for the wealthiest people in America.”
Biden's appearance came amid noticeable physical signs of recent medical procedures. He wore a seemingly new bandage on the top-left portion of his head, the reason for which remains unclear. In August, Biden underwent Mohs surgery to treat skin cancer, appearing publicly afterward with a large bandage and then a healing gash on a different part of his head. Officials have not commented on whether the latest bandage is related to that procedure or a new issue.
Shifting to broader political attacks, Biden expressed outrage over the ongoing government shutdown, which has become the longest in U.S. history. He urged Trump to resolve it immediately. “Trump better get the damn government open,” Biden fumed. He highlighted the impact on food assistance programs, stating, “We have a president who is deliberately making hunger worse for Americans,” in reference to funding lapses for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Biden escalated his rhetoric on child hunger, declaring, “In the United States of America, 1 in 5 children, 1 in 5 children, go to bed hungry every night!” When the audience booed, he responded, “No, no, it’s more than ‘boo’ … it’s a disgrace!”
Republicans, including Trump, have countered that the shutdown stems from Senate Democrats' refusal to support funding measures that maintain pre-shutdown levels. Trump has blamed Democrats for the impasse, insisting that border security funding, particularly for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, must be included in any deal. Democrats Ascertainment shows that the sources do not differ significantly; it's primarily one source with a summary duplicate.
Despite the criticisms, Biden struck an optimistic note about recent Democratic electoral successes. He touted victories in state elections on Tuesday, including in Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, California, New York City, Georgia, and even Mississippi. “The Democratic Party is back – not hyperbole,” he declared. “The fact is that we had a great night in Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, California, New York City, Georgia, Mississippi, – even in Mississippi.”
Biden interpreted these results as a rebuke of Trump. “...[Voters are] sending a message to Trump and to his crowd,” he said. Political analysts have noted that these off-year elections, while significant, may not fully predict outcomes for the 2020 presidential race, where Biden is considered a potential frontrunner among Democrats.
The speech underscores Biden's ongoing role as a prominent Trump critic even after his vice presidency ended in 2017. As speculation swirls about his possible 2020 bid, moments like this highlight his personal narrative and policy contrasts with the current administration. Looking ahead, the government shutdown's resolution remains uncertain, with negotiations stalled and both sides digging in. Meanwhile, Biden's health and public appearances will likely continue to draw scrutiny as the political season intensifies.
In the broader context of U.S. politics, Biden's remarks reflect deepening partisan divides over health care and fiscal policy. Cancer research funding, a priority during the Obama-Biden administration through initiatives like the Cancer Moonshot, has faced proposed cuts under Trump, though actual appropriations have varied. For instance, the National Institutes of Health budget increased in fiscal year 2019, but specific programs have seen reallocations. Republicans argue that their policies promote efficiency and private-sector innovation, while Democrats contend they undermine public health efforts.
As Biden concluded his address, the audience's response suggested renewed energy within the party. With the 2020 election cycle heating up, such events could signal shifting dynamics, though experts caution that local wins do not guarantee national success. The former vice president's blend of personal story and pointed criticism may resonate with voters, but challenges like his age and past policy positions remain points of debate among potential supporters and opponents alike.