Biden Says the Nation Is Facing ‘Dark Days’ Under Trump

Former President Joe Biden speaks after receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute's 10th Anniversary Celebration. | Robert F. Bukaty/AP
Former President Joe Biden urged Americans to remain hopeful even as he warned that the United States is entering “dark days” under President Donald Trump’s leadership, marking his first public appearance since completing radiation therapy for prostate cancer.
Speaking at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute in Boston on Sunday, where he was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, Biden cautioned that the nation’s democratic values are under threat, citing what he called attacks on free speech and tests on the limits of executive power.
“Friends, I can’t sugarcoat any of this. These are dark days,” the 82-year-old said, according to the Associated Press.
“But America is more powerful than any dictator.”
Biden Defends Free Speech, Praises Those Who Speak Out
In his speech, Biden commended Americans who continue to defend free expression despite growing political pressure. He highlighted late-night comedians who have spoken out against the Trump administration, describing them as courageous voices for democracy.
“The late-night hosts continue to shine a light on free speech knowing their careers are on the line,” he said.
His remarks referenced a recent controversy involving comedian Jimmy Kimmel, whose show was briefly suspended after comments he made following the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Kimmel later apologized, and his show returned to air — but the incident reignited debate about freedom of expression and political backlash.
“America Is Not a Fairy Tale,” Biden Says
Biden reflected on the broader struggles of American democracy, describing the country’s history as a “constant push and pull between peril and possibility.”
“America is not a fairy tale,” he said. “For 250 years, it’s been an ongoing test of our principles, but time and again, we’ve emerged stronger.”
Despite the political turmoil, Biden said he remains confident in the nation’s resilience.
“It’s easy to check out, to give up. But that’s not who we are,” he added. “We are one of the only countries in the world that has come out of every crisis stronger than before, and I believe we will again.”
White House Responds
In response to Biden’s remarks, White House Assistant Press Secretary Liz Huston issued a statement defending the Trump administration, pushing back against Biden’s criticism.
“The real ‘dark days’ were under Joe Biden’s failed leadership, when millions of illegal alien criminals poured into our cities, inflation crushed working families, and men played in women’s sports,” Huston said.
Biden’s speech comes at a time of renewed political tension as Trump’s policies and leadership style continue to spark division. Yet the former president’s message in Boston was one of endurance and faith in the nation’s democratic spirit, a call to unity in what he described as a defining moment for America’s future.
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