September 29, 2022 12:11pm EDT
Biden suggests Americans aren't proud of their country at fundraiser while Hurricane Ian pummels Florida
Biden attended a Democratic Governors Association fundraiser as Hurricane Ian pounded Florida
By Brandon Gillespie | Fox News
President Biden suggested that Americans aren't proud of their country during a divisive speech at a political fundraiser for Democrats in Washington, D.C., Wednesday evening, while Hurricane Ian pummeled Florida with strong winds and a massive storm surge.
The speech occurred at a private residence in Washington, D.C., at a reception put on by the Democratic Governors Association that was attended by Gov. Phil Murphy, D-N.J., Gov. John Carney, D-Del., and the city's Democratic mayor, Muriel Bowser.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre had faced questions from reporters earlier in the day about Biden's attendance at the fundraiser, questioning whether he would cancel his planned and appearance and instead focus his attention towards the hurricane challenges facing Florida.
Jean-Pierre responded that the team didn't have "any changes in his schedule."
After spending the opening portion of the speech thanking first responders and others for their efforts in assisting those affected by the hurricane, Biden turned political, blasting Republicans as the "MAGA crowd," including tying them to fascism, and portrayed Americans being proud of the United States as a distant hope.
"We're really at an inflection point here," Biden told the crowd of attendees in a tent outside the home, speaking about the upcoming midterm elections before going on to claim democracy was "at stake," and that the election was about democracy vs. autocracy.
He stressed the need for Democrats to retain control of Congress, something unlikely to happen in the House of Representatives according to Fox News' Power Rankings, and dove into the issues of abortion, marriage equality, voting rights, social security, Medicare, and his desire to ban "assault weapons."
Turning to the GOP, Biden quipped, "This is not your father's Republican Party," continuing his previous criticism of "MAGA Republicans" becoming more prominent than establishment Republicans.
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