Biden steps up prez campaign as Trump remains caught up in trial
WASHINGTON: Joe Biden hopes to capitalise on Donald Trump being stuck in court as he hits the US presidential election campaign trail — and can’t resist poking fun at his rival’s predicament.
While Trump was in his historic hush money trial this week, Biden embarked on a three-day swing through his birthplace, the crucial battleground state of Pennsylvania.
He visited his childhood home and campaigned with the Kennedys, while Trump complained about being in a “freezing” New York courtroom unable to campaign.
“Under my predecessor — who’s busy right now — Pennsylvania lost 275,000 jobs,” the 81-year-old Biden deadpanned in reference to his rival’s situation, while his audience at a steelworkers’ union laughed.
It was the first time Biden
had publicly acknowledged Trump’s criminal trial since it got underway in New York on Monday, and a departure from his previous silence on the matter. “Let’s call it the Trump’s in the courtroom, Biden’s in Pennsylvania strategy,” former White House communications director Kate Bedingfield said.
The Democrat has previously appeared keen to avoid the appearance of tipping the scales of justice, knowing it could give Trump ammunition for claims that he’s the victim of a Bidenled witch-hunt.
The White House said he was not following the trial, adding that his “focus is on the American people”.
Man sets self on fire outside Trump trial
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the court where Donald Trump is standing trial in Manhattan, New York police said, with officers rushing to extinguish the flames.
TV reporters described the scene that unfolded moments after the full panel of 12 jurors and six alternates was selected for the trial of the former president in a hush money cover-up case.
“A male did light himself on fire outside of the Supreme Courthouse. We’re still gathering details from the field,” said a spokesman for the New York Police Department.