Former President celebrates Democratic victories, calls for renewed focus on health care and working Americans
Former President Joe Biden returned to the national spotlight Friday night with a fiery speech that combined deeply personal reflection with sharp political criticism of President Donald Trump. Speaking at a gala hosted by the Nebraska Democratic Party in Omaha, Biden opened up about his recent cancer treatment and used the moment to rally Democrats after what he described as a “turning point” election in Trump’s second term.
The event, attended by hundreds of party leaders and activists, marked one of Biden’s most direct and emotional addresses since leaving the White House. The 83-year-old Democrat did not shy away from criticizing Trump’s leadership, particularly the historic government shutdown that has disrupted federal operations for weeks.
Biden accused Trump of showing “reckless disregard” for ordinary Americans affected by the shutdown. “You work for us, Mr. President,” Biden declared. “We don’t work for you. You work for every American, not just billionaires and millionaires. I’m angry because people are hurting while the president builds ballrooms.”
The ballroom remark referred to Trump’s controversial 90,000-square-foot addition to the White House’s East Wing, a project critics have described as wasteful amid growing public frustration over the shutdown and stalled federal paychecks. Biden used the example to illustrate what he called the administration’s “warped sense of priorities.”
“While families are lining up at food banks, he’s holding galas for the wealthy,” Biden said, drawing loud applause from the audience. “That’s not leadership. That’s vanity.”
The former president also used the speech to open up about his battle with prostate cancer, revealing that he had recently completed a course of radiation therapy. Biden, who rang the ceremonial bell to mark the end of treatment just weeks ago, said the experience had renewed his appreciation for the nation’s health care system and the people who keep it running.
“I thank God for the doctors and nurses who saved my life,” Biden said. “I thank God for the breakthroughs we’ve made in cancer research breakthroughs made possible because we invested in science and public health. Now Trump and his Republican friends want to cut that funding. They’re making health care more expensive for virtually everyone.”
Biden’s words drew an emotional response from the crowd, many of whom stood to applaud. The former president has long championed cancer research, spearheading the Cancer Moonshot initiative during his vice presidency under Barack Obama. He tied his personal story to that legacy, warning that progress could be lost if federal support is slashed.
“Health care isn’t a luxury,” he said. “It’s a right. And I will never stop fighting for it.”
Beyond his policy criticism, Biden also sought to rally Democrats after their sweeping victories in the most recent elections, the first major contests of Trump’s second term. “The Democratic Party is back!” he exclaimed, raising his fist. The room erupted in cheers.
Democrats won a series of high-profile races across the country. Zohran Mamdani was elected mayor of New York City, while Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill captured governorships in Virginia and New Jersey, respectively victories that Biden said signaled a public rejection of Trump’s “chaotic” governance.
“These wins weren’t just about party labels,” Biden argued. “They were about values decency, compassion, and competence. Americans are tired of the noise. They want leaders who care more about solving problems than picking fights.”
Biden urged Democrats to stay united and continue reaching out to independents and moderate Republicans disillusioned with Trump. “Don’t let up now,” he said. “This is a movement bigger than any one person. It’s about restoring the soul of America.”
The former president also took a moment to reflect on his long political career, expressing gratitude for the chance to continue advocating for the causes he believes in, even outside the Oval Office. “I may be older,” he said with a smile, “but I still have some fight left in me. And I’m not done speaking up for the people who built this country.”
As the event concluded, Biden was greeted with a standing ovation that lasted several minutes. Supporters waved blue banners reading “Health Care for All” and “Democrats Deliver.” For many in attendance, it felt like a symbolic passing of the torch a veteran leader reminding his party of its moral compass at a critical moment in history.
In closing, Biden offered a simple but forceful message to his party and the nation: “We’ve been through dark times before, and we came out stronger. We can do it again together.
