Biden Warns Trump Is Trying to ‘Steal’ 2026 Midterms in Rare South Carolina Speech
Former President Joe Biden used a rare public appearance in Columbia, South Carolina, to warn that Donald Trump is trying to “steal” the upcoming 2026 midterm elections,” a statement that has quickly become a flashpoint in national political debate.
Biden spoke Friday at an event hosted by the South Carolina Democratic Party honoring his lifetime of public service and the state’s role in his 2020 presidential campaign. The gathering, held at the Columbia Museum of Art, drew local officials and longtime supporters.
With the 2026 midterms looming, Biden raised the stakes sharply, telling the crowd that Trump is erecting barriers aimed at suppressing voter participation because “he knows he can’t win your vote.” The former president described the moment as one of “dark days” for the country and framed it as a test of American democracy.
Biden said that power still “belongs to the people” and urged Americans to cast ballots, warning that efforts to curtail voting access would undermine the legitimacy of the elections if left unchecked. His remarks come as analysts and lawmakers from both parties debate federal actions and state controls over election administration.
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According to a report from The Guardian, Biden also criticized aspects of Trump’s leadership, including the administration’s response to recent national incidents and its direction on domestic policy.
“He’s trying to steal the election because he knows he can’t win your vote,” Biden said, highlighting voter turnout as the ultimate safeguard of democratic power.
The former president’s message underscores growing partisan divisions over election procedures and the integrity of democratic processes heading into November. Campaign strategists from both sides are expected to escalate efforts to rally voters and shape turnout in the months ahead.
What happens next will likely be more public statements from both parties, legal challenges over voting rules, and mounting attention on how the midterm elections are conducted nationwide.
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