Context:

Joseph R. Biden Jr., the former president, has re-emerged in the public sphere with a sharp critique of President Trump's foreign policy actions, particularly regarding the war in Ukraine and interactions with global allies. During a BBC interview, Biden expressed disapproval of Trump's controversial proposals, such as renaming the Gulf of Mexico and acquiring Greenland, which he believes undermine America's values of freedom and democracy. Despite criticism from his party for the 2024 election loss, Biden defended his re-election campaign decision and aims to shape his legacy by highlighting his administration's achievements, including the expansion of NATO. Biden also fears that Trump's leadership could weaken global confidence in U.S. reliability, threatening alliances like NATO. Meanwhile, Biden is considering financial endeavors such as speaking engagements and writing a memoir, amidst ongoing political debates over his past decisions and the Democratic Party's future direction.

Dive Deeper:

• Former President Biden criticized President Trump's handling of international affairs, especially the war in Ukraine and meetings with allies, in his first interview since leaving office. He specifically disapproved of Trump's meeting with Ukrainian President Zelensky and plans to rename the Gulf of Mexico and acquire Greenland.

• Biden's re-emergence includes defending his decision to run for re-election in 2024, despite internal party criticism and declining public support. He maintains that his candidacy was crucial for the Democratic Party, even though he eventually withdrew under pressure.

• In the interview, Biden expressed concerns about the future of global democracy and America's leadership role, fearing a loss of trust among allies if the U.S. is perceived as unreliable. He highlighted the importance of alliances like NATO, which he says were strengthened during his presidency.

• Biden's public appearances, including a speech in Chicago criticizing Trump's impact on Social Security and a planned ABC interview, suggest he intends to maintain a significant public presence while potentially pursuing financial opportunities like speaking engagements and authoring a memoir.

• The Democratic Party faces internal debates about its future strategy and leadership, with some members blaming Biden for the 2024 election loss and others defending his record. Biden's decision not to run earlier is seen by some as a missed opportunity to present a stronger candidate against Trump.

• Biden's aides argue that the Democrats' loss was due to internal disarray rather than his candidacy, and they emphasize his successful policies, such as the expansion of NATO. Biden remains concerned about the implications of Trump's presidency on international relations and global stability.

• During Trump's second term, he frequently criticized Biden, mentioning him multiple times daily, which underscores the ongoing political tension between the two leaders. Biden's careful response to questions about Trump's behavior reflects his cautious approach to political rhetoric.