During a heated election cycle, mudslinging is often elevated to a spectator sport, but there are times when the snarky strategy can defy all logic and backfire — bigly.
Even with an embarrassing assist from CNN, President Joe Biden discovered this weekend that the thin line between clever and cringeworthy is as difficult to navigate as a flight of stairs.
On Friday, the Biden-Harris HQ account on X posted a CNN segment claiming that the president’s childish digs at Donald Trump have “rattled” the former president.
With a catastrophe unfolding at the border, crime surging in struggling American cities, and the threat of World War III hanging over the nation, the official campaign account for the president quoted CNN as saying, “Biden campaign aides have said the taunting will keep up,”
CNN: A person close to Trump says that he is rattled by President Biden and his campaign’s efforts to get under his skin. Biden campaign aides have said the taunting will keep up pic.twitter.com/QDBYx6SoBz
— Biden-Harris HQ (@BidenHQ) January 26, 2024
Alone, the post drew mocking memes:
Trump is “rattled” by this guy? pic.twitter.com/YTs6z4UB4C
— Ms. MAGAdonian (@shopaholicdivas) January 26, 2024
Yes. This rattles us all, but not in the way you think it does. pic.twitter.com/o8SekRijjU
— Lhop (@Lhop963) January 27, 2024
If Biden could only complete a full sentence pic.twitter.com/EfJRLAc1xc
— Mr Doug (@DiagonalDoug) January 26, 2024
But when Biden reposted the clip with a jab at former first lady Melania Trump, the response was merciless.
“Be Best,” the president stated — a reference to Melania’s anti-cyberbullying campaign.
Because nothing says “leadership” like bullying an anti-cyberbullying movement.
“This Tweet wasn’t posted by Joe Biden. Everybody knows Biden goes to bed at 4pm, and this was posted after 6pm,” senior Trump adviser Jason Miller told Fox News Digital in a statement. “But to the staffer who posted this on Biden’s behalf, maybe you should focus more on reducing inflation and fixing the chaos you’ve created on our Southern Border rather than trying to be cute.”
“What 20 yr old staffer wrote this for you, old man?” asked one user on X. “You can barely work a toaster, let alone social media.”
“This is a really good look,” said another. “I’m glad there are children handling Joe’s Twitter account.”
What 20 yr old staffer wrote this for you, old man? You can barely work a toaster, let alone social media.
— TraderJill (Leigh) Pronouns: Wtf/Is/Wrong/With/You (@LadyJustice4512) January 26, 2024
This is a really good look. I’m glad there are children handling Joe’s Twitter account.
— Hollaria Briden, Esq. (@HollyBriden) January 26, 2024
Biden’s post was considered particularly classless considering that Melania Trump is currently mourning the death of her mother.
Throwin’ shade at Melania? Classy.
Only thing dark about Brandon is the skidmark.— French Laundry (@asstoriacircle) January 27, 2024
So much for DECENCY being on the ballot. You’re not trolling President Trump, you demented old man. You’re trolling the former First Lady, who lost her mother days ago. You are a PIG! @POTUS
— Lady Liberty (@LadyLibTerri) January 27, 2024
“Too late to learn how to troll, Joe,” one user informed the president. “You’re not going to win that battle.”
Too late to learn how to troll, Joe. You’re not going to win that battle.
— Autism Capital (@AutismCapital) January 27, 2024
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Melissa Fine is the former executive editor of Casino Player, Strictly Slots, and Poker
Digest magazines. She is a UCLA graduate, news junkie, and dedicated Stargate SG-
1 fan. Melissa currently lives with her dog and two cats in a tiny town in the Sierra
Nevada foothills.
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