The super PAC supporting Donald J. Trump for president is airing a harsh television ad ahead of the State of the Union address, mocking President Biden’s hesitant response to questions about his memory and even questioning his lifespan – a preview of General Wahl’s tenor before us.
The ad, titled “Jugular,” aired Thursday morning on MSNBC during one of Mr. Biden’s favorite shows, “Morning Joe.” in the 6 o’clock hour. It will air nationally on MSNBC, CNN, Fox News and Newsmax during daytime hours and Friday mornings, according to super PAC Make America Great Again Inc. The size of the two-day advertising buy was not immediately clear.
The spot appeared designed to get under Mr. Biden’s skin at a crucial moment as he prepares to deliver the State of the Union and faces low job approval ratings compared to his predecessor, Mr. Trump . The ad focuses on an issue that Mr. Biden and his allies have shown frustration over — questions about his age.
At 81, Mr Biden is America’s oldest president. Mr. Trump is 77.
A spokesman for the Biden campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A report by special counsel Robert Hur, who investigated Mr. Biden’s possession of classified documents at his home after he served as vice president, infuriated the president’s allies with what they called unsubstantiated descriptions of his difficulty remembering specific events and details to remember. Among them, according to Mr. Hur, was the death of Mr. Biden’s eldest son, Beau, a statement that Mr. Biden’s allies had pushed back on.
The ad uses footage of Mr. Biden’s reaction to that report at a White House news conference, where he appeared visibly angry and nervous at times. The ad says people understand Mr. Biden’s “weakness” and adds, “Can Biden even survive until 2029?” It then asks, “Can we?” as Vice President Kamala Harris laughs and Mr. Biden says Boarding Air Force One can be seen on the stairs.
The tactic of airing ads to be seen by a president was used to reach Mr. Trump, especially when opponents hoped to force him to respond. Among those using this tactic was the Lincoln Project, the group of anti-Trump Republicans. And Trump has had his own verbal stumbles, including confusing former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi with Nikki Haley, his one-time primary rival, and calling Mr. Biden “Obama” in recent speeches.
But this particular spot focuses on what was raised by Democrats, some of Mr. Biden’s allies and a number of voters a source of concern as Mr. Trump seeks to frame the terms of the general election for voters as “strength” versus “weakness.”
“Biden is weak, and America is suffering because of it,” said Taylor Budowich, CEO of MAGA Inc. “The state of the nation today will not stop those waiting in the wings from laughing every time Joe Biden stumbles or stumbles .”
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2024-03-07 12:31:02
www.nytimes.com