President Joe Biden returned to his childhood home in Scranton, Pennsylvania, to kick off three days of campaigning across the state. He called for higher taxes on the rich and portrayed Donald Trump as an out-of-touch elitist, seeking to blunt the populist appeal of his Republican predecessor. Biden took a nostalgic trip down memory lane, spending time at his childhood home and posing for photos with children in the backyard, reflecting on Scranton’s role in his political autobiography.
Biden’s visit to Scranton was aimed at reframing the conversation around the economy, focusing on making the tax code fairer to keep more money in Americans’ pockets. He criticized Trump as a tool of wealthy interests, contrasting the values of Scranton with those of Mar-a-Lago, where Trump resides. Biden proposed a 25% minimum tax rate for billionaires, emphasizing that taxes are essential for investing in the country and creating a fairer economy that benefits all Americans.
During his speech at a community center in Scranton, Biden highlighted the failures of decades of Republican policies that prioritized tax cuts for the wealthy, referring to Trump as an embodiment of that failure. He criticized Trump’s background as a billionaire and mocked the falling value of Trump’s social media platform, Truth Social. Biden also addressed Trump’s alleged derogatory comments about veterans, calling them disqualifying and expressing relief at not being near Trump when he made those remarks.
Biden’s visit to Scranton included multiple stops where he emphasized his roots in the town and the importance of remembering where he came from. Crowds lined the streets to cheer his motorcade, with only a few Trump flags and minimal protests against Biden’s policies. Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro praised Biden for his connection to the people he grew up with, highlighting his continued focus on working-class values and priorities.
Scranton has played a significant role in Biden’s political narrative, with the president often referencing the city as a symbol of middle-class America. His reelection team has framed the 2024 race as a choice between promoting the middle class and upholding Scranton values versus elitism. Biden’s ability to secure support in Scranton and similar areas in Pennsylvania could be crucial for his electoral prospects in the state.
While Biden focused on economic issues and tax fairness during his Pennsylvania swing, the timing of his visit coincided with the start of Trump’s first criminal trial related to allegations of suppressing information about affairs with a porn actor and Playboy model. Democrats have sought to contrast Biden’s focus on economic concerns with Trump’s legal troubles, presenting a challenge and an opportunity as the former president’s trial unfolds. Despite the distractions, Biden remained focused on his message of investing in the country and ensuring a fair economy for all Americans.
