Congressional Democrats have voiced strong discontent with President Joe Biden’s recent campaign communication following a tweet that many view as poorly timed and tone-deaf. On Wednesday, shortly after Biden tested positive for COVID-19, the official X account for his campaign posted a message saying, “I’m sick.” This tweet was intended as a fundraising appeal but was met with immediate backlash from within the party.
The post was quickly followed by another tweet from the campaign, which read, “I’m sick of Elon Musk and his rich buddies trying to buy this election. And if you agree, pitch in here,” complete with a donation link. The juxtaposition of Biden’s COVID diagnosis with a fundraising message seemed to exacerbate the frustration among Democratic lawmakers, who have been increasingly critical of the president’s campaign strategy.
Several House Democrats, speaking anonymously to Axios, criticized the campaign’s approach. One lawmaker described the tweet as “pathetic” and suggested it highlighted a significant disconnect between Biden’s campaign and the current mood among Democrats. This sentiment was echoed by other members who expressed their frustration with the campaign’s apparent lack of awareness.
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), who had earlier called for unity and decency, emphasized the need for Democrats to support Biden during his recovery rather than exploiting the situation for political advantage. “Fellow House Democrats, can we in this moment unify, show some decency, and simply wish [Biden] a speedy and full recovery?” Khanna wrote on X. He urged colleagues not to use Biden’s illness as an opportunity to advance their political agendas or launch attacks on the president.
Despite well-wishes from some members, including Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), who has previously advocated for Biden to withdraw from the race, the tweet has amplified existing concerns within the party. Welch posted a message wishing Biden “a full and quick recovery from Covid,” underscoring the contrast between his supportive tone and the critical reception of the campaign’s messaging.
The timing of the tweet is particularly contentious given Biden’s ongoing battle with COVID-19, which had already led to the cancellation of his scheduled appearance at a UnidosUS conference in Nevada. The official presidential X account confirmed the diagnosis, with Biden stating, “I tested positive for COVID-19 this afternoon, but I am feeling good and thank everyone for the good wishes.”
In response to the backlash, some Democrats defended the campaign’s use of humor to galvanize fundraising efforts. Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), a staunch Biden ally, defended the approach, suggesting that the witty humor was a clever way to engage supporters amid an unprecedented level of spending by pro-Trump groups.
Garcia highlighted that the Trump campaign’s billionaire donors are contributing significant resources to support their candidate, which he believes justifies a creative fundraising approach.
However, the broader concern among Democrats remains Biden’s increasing isolation on Capitol Hill. High-profile Democratic leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, have privately warned Biden about the potential negative impact of his candidacy on down-ballot Democrats.
The party faces internal divisions over Biden’s ability to secure a victory in the 2024 election, and some members hope that this period of recovery might lead Biden to reconsider his candidacy.
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In conclusion, the “I’m sick” tweet and its subsequent fundraising push have intensified existing tensions within the Democratic Party, raising questions about Biden’s campaign strategy and his ability to unify the party as he recovers from COVID-19. The incident reflects broader concerns about Biden’s political future and the direction of his campaign as the 2024 election approaches.
