Former President Joe Biden returned to South Carolina on February 27, 2026, delivering a fiery speech at the Columbia Museum of Art that took direct aim at President Donald Trump’s policies and leadership while rallying Democrats ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
The 83-year-old Biden, making his first public speech since leaving office in January 2025, spoke for roughly 20 minutes at a South Carolina Democratic Party fundraising event. The gathering commemorated the sixth anniversary of his pivotal 2020 primary victory in the state—a win that resurrected his presidential campaign and set him on course to the White House.
Biden wasted no time launching into criticism of Trump’s recent State of the Union address, which ran a record one hour and 47 minutes on Tuesday night, February 24. When he mentioned the lengthy speech, Biden quipped to laughter: “Is he still talking?”
But the tone quickly shifted as Biden addressed what he called the “dark days” facing the nation. He condemned Trump for failing to acknowledge the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, by immigration agents in Minnesota during the State of the Union.
“He doesn’t mention Renee Good, Alex Pretti, who were killed in Minnesota by ICE—offer even a word of solace to their families,” Biden said. The former president also accused Trump of attempting to suppress voter turnout ahead of the midterm elections, warning that Trump knows he cannot win votes legitimately and will instead create barriers to voting.
Rep. Jim Clyburn, the South Carolina Democrat whose endorsement proved crucial to Biden’s 2020 primary comeback, introduced the former president. The two embraced warmly before Biden took the stage at the museum in Columbia.
Biden defended his presidential record, highlighting job growth and declining crime rates during his administration. He touted creating 2.2 million jobs in his final year as president in 2024, contrasting that with what he claimed were only 185,000 jobs created in Trump’s first year back in office.
On immigration—an issue that helped propel Trump back to the White House—Biden pushed back against criticism. He asserted that border crossings were lower when he left office than when he inherited the presidency from Trump in 2021, despite COVID-19 driving migration to record levels globally.
The appearance marked a significant moment for Biden, who has largely stayed out of the public eye since departing Washington. He revealed in May that he had been diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer that had spread to his bones. In October, his office announced he was undergoing radiation and hormone therapy as part of a new phase of treatment.
Biden’s journey to South Carolina itself drew attention. He flew commercial from Reagan National Airport, where fog delays left him waiting alongside fellow passengers. Admirers greeted him warmly, though one woman confronted him about the deaths of children in Gaza. The former president later vacationed with his family on Kiawah Island near Charleston.
Behind the scenes, Biden has remained active in Democratic politics. He held phone calls with California Gov. Gavin Newsom, met with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for over an hour in his Washington office, and called Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger before her response to Trump’s State of the Union.
According to an NBC News poll, 60% of those surveyed somewhat or strongly disapproved of Trump’s actions on border security and immigration—a vulnerability Biden sought to exploit in his remarks.
South Carolina holds special significance for Biden beyond his 2020 primary victory. The state served as a second home after his native Delaware, where he and his family frequently vacationed. As a senator, he developed deep relationships with South Carolina’s long-serving senators, Republican Strom Thurmond and Democrat Fritz Hollings, delivering eulogies for both.
During his presidency, Biden elevated South Carolina’s role in Democratic politics, successfully pushing for the state to become the first primary state in the party’s nominating process. He also appointed Jaime Harrison, a native of Orangeburg, as leader of the Democratic National Committee.
Christale Spain, chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party, defended the state’s continued importance in selecting Democratic nominees. The national party is currently reconsidering its primary calendar, which could diminish South Carolina’s influence.
Biden closed his speech by rallying Democrats to continue fighting against what he characterized as Trump’s assault on democratic norms. “The battle for the soul of this nation is one that’s never really over,” Biden told the crowd.
