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Biden Comments on Report Trump Disparaged U.S. Troops. Aired 1- 1:30p ET

Aired September 04, 2020 - 13:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[13:00:05]

JOE BIDEN (D), PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: This may be as close as I have come, this campaign. It's just a marker of how deeply President Trump and I disagree about the role of the president of the United States of America.

You know, the August jobs report came out this morning. I'm grateful for everyone who found work again and found a glimmer of hope that brings them back from the edge. But there is real cause for concern as well. The pace of the job gains in August was slower than July, significantly slower than in May and June. More and more temporary layoffs are turning into permanent layoffs.

28 million people have filed for unemployment and after six months in the pandemic, we're less than halfway back to where we were with 11.5 million Americans not getting their jobs back. We're still down 720,000 manufacturing jobs. In fact, Donald Trump may be the only president in modern history to leave office with fewer jobs than when he took office.

I talk to a lot of real working people. I ask them, they feel like they're being left behind. I ask them, how do they feel about the economy coming back? You'll find they don't feel it. That's why I'm here today to thank Paul Calistro and his team for hosting us at West End Neighborhood House here in Wilmington.

Paul, your continued tradition of doing God's work for this community is important. It's been around for more than 130 years, through pandemics, wars, depressions. West End has been here for generations of people who are just looking for a chance, not a handout, just a fair shot at a good job, a safe place to live and a better life to pass down to their kids. This is a special place for the Biden family.

My daughter, Ashley, a social worker, was a caseworker here helping young people who were aging out of foster care. When my son was the attorney general, Beau came here, right here, to learn more about job training programs for those working toward a GED or certificate for a good paying job. When I was senator and vice president, there were plenty of economists ahead around me to talk about every aspect of the economy.

But I always think about the people that walk through the doors here, working people, white, black, brown, Latino. What are they doing? Are they okay? I knew if they were okay, they walk through these doors, the economy was doing okay. If they weren't okay, we weren't doing well. That's what we should be thinking about, this latest jobs report.

But the report reinforces the worst fears and painful truths. The economic inequities that began before the downturn have only worsened under this failed presidency. When the crisis started, we all hoped for a few months of a shutdown would be followed by a rapid economic turnaround. No one thought they'd lose the job for good or see small businesses shut down en masse, but that kind of recovery requires leadership, leadership we didn't have and still don't have.

And as a result economists are starting to call this recession a K- shaped recession, which is a fancy phrase for what's wrong with everything about Trump's presidency. The K means those at top see things go up. And those in the middle and below see things go down and get worse. It's no surprise because at root of this is the fact that Trump has mismanaged the COVID crisis and that's why it's a K-shaped pandemic.

First, the president's chaotic mismanagement of the pandemic is still holding us back. Compared to other major industrial countries in Europe and Asia, during the pandemic, our unemployment rate is still more than double while other nations have only gone up by half. Why? Because the president has botched the COVID response, botched it badly.

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I've said from the beginning, we can't deal with an economic crisis until you beat the pandemic. You can't have an economic comeback when almost 1,000 Americans die each day from COVID, when the death toll has reached about 200,000, when more than 6 million Americans have been infected, when million more worry about getting sick and dying as schools and businesses try to reopen.

We all know it didn't have to be this bad. It didn't have to be this bad to begin with if the president just did his job, if he just took the virus seriously early on in January and February as it spread around the globe, if he just took the steps we needed back in March and April to institute widespread testing and tracing to control the virus, if he provided clear, national scientific-based guidance to state and local authorities, if he just set a good example, like social distancing and wearing a mask. It is not too much to ask.

That's almost like he doesn't care. It doesn't affect him because it doesn't affect him or his class of friends. Anyone with a big enough checkbook can get rapid test on demand. If you don't, you might have to wait in line for hours and wait for weeks to get your result, if you can get them at all. You have the kind of job where you can work from a laptop at home remotely, risking getting COVID is very small at work.

This job report shows that 37 million people reported teleworking in August. But if you work in an assembly line or checkout counter or meat-packing plant or drive a truck or deliver packages, you're at much greater risk. And the job report shows that more than 27 million workers reported that they couldn't work or lost hours because their employer had to close or lost business due to the pandemic.

If you can hire a private tutor or have a live-in child care, you can balance being a parent and remote schooling. If you can't, you have to do your job and be a teacher all at once. Jill and I have held briefings on reopening schools safely two days ago, asking the questions as so many parents call and ask us, educators as well, who feel like they're in an impossible situation.

What are they supposed to do with our children when the president has made it so hard for schools to reopen safely? What's the alternative when it's devastating to keep them isolated from their friends and their support systems?

I also said earlier this week, to the shock of many, that we you lost more cops this year to COVID than on patrol. Just a reminder how an already dangerous job law enforcement has gotten more dangerous because of Trump's mismanagement.

What may be just as shocking is many other jobs will also become dangerous due to COVID. Being a health care worker is now more dangerous than ever. We have lost hundreds of them this year because they weren't protected from COVID on the job. Being a meatpacker is more dangerous than ever, so many have died due to getting COVID at work. Work for waitresses and waiters and transit workers all have become more dangerous with so many dying of COVID.

Ladies and gentlemen, no matter what he says or what he claims, you are not safer in Donald Trump's America. You are not safe in Donald Trump's America where people are dying at a rate last seen when Americans were fighting in World War 2. Donald Trump's malpractice during this pandemic has made being a working American a life or death work.

And while there's a disproportionate impact on Black, Latino and Asian Americans and Native Americans' working class communities, white working class are being hit hard as well. Opioid deaths, for example, are up during the pandemic, another crisis that Trump continues to all but ignore.

In the meantime, Trump and his friends have strong views about what the rest of America should do, quote, cut unemployment benefits to force people to go back to their jobs, end of quote, defund social security and eliminate Obamacare in the middle of a pandemic, end of quote, reopen public schools without resources or guidance, reopen main street business without protection for workers so corporations can continue to soar.

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This is their plan?

Second and similarly, the economic pain remains unrelenting for millions of working people of every race and background aren't getting relief they need. Meanwhile, well, they're doing just fine, some better than ever. This divergence of fortunes is unique to any recession in recent memory.

And the painful truth is we just have a president who just doesn't see it. He doesn't feel it. He doesn't understand. He just doesn't care. He thinks if the stock market is up that everything is fine. If his wealthy friends and donors are doing well, then everything is doing well. If corporations see their valuations rising, then they must be hiring.

But the best economists know what I know. I have learned growing up in Scranton and Claymont, Delaware, up the road, places where folks aren't invested in the market, like wealth Americans. A measure of our economic success is the quality of life of the American people. And if your stock soars, families teeter in the brink of hunger and homelessness. And our president calls that success.

What does that say about what he values? When you see the world in such a narrow prism, there's no wonder he doesn't see nearly 30 million Americans on unemployment, one in six small businesses that are closed right now. He doesn't understand what life is like for people walking by their boarded up shops, educators afraid that doing their job, a job they love, will bring the virus home to the people they love, or a parent searching for health insurance now that the furlough has turned into a layoff.

It's no wonder he doesn't the single mom forced to wait in a three- hour food line for the first time in her life so she can feed her family because she is now part of the one in six households with children that don't have enough to eat. He wants us to believe that we're doing better, to keep it up and not notice that this remains the worst economic situation since the great depression.

And our country faced the historic divergence in our way of life, which gets me to my third and final point, and what the American people really need to understand, all the pain and suffering stems from President Trump's failure to lead, his sheer inability and willingness to bring people together. He likes to sign executive orders, actions for photo-ops, but they're ill conceived and can do more harm than good.

He says, protecting renters from eviction, that's what he is doing, but he's not giving them any support to pay the rent when it comes due. Millions of Americans will only be left with the terrible choice between eviction and living in the streets or paying back rent they simply don't have when there was an answer offered and rejected.

He says he is continuing to provide enhanced unemployment insurance payments but he cut the amount that everyone on it receive leaves them on the edge when it runs out in a few weeks or sooner. He should be doing his job of calling congressional leaders together immediately to get a deal and deliver real results for the American people.

This is a first president of the middle of a crisis I have never seen has called Congress into the Oval Office. If I were president that's, what I would do and get it done, like previous presidents. Rentals, food, unemployment assistance, tens of millions struggling Americans, student loan reliefs, small business support and aid to schools and state governments that are going bankrupt.

And as long as this pandemic and the economy catastrophe persists, no one, no one should have their water or power cut off because they can't afford to pay the bill.

Bottom line, Mr. President, do your job. Get off your golf course and out of the sand bunker. Call the leaders together in the Oval Office. Sit with them and make a deal. Make a deal that delivers for working Americans and eases their anxiety and pain.

In July, I laid out my build back better plan for an economy that works for everyone.

[13:15:00]

Over the next three weeks, I'll be laying out the sharp contrast my plan has with the president's non-plans. I'll be asking the American people three basic questions. Who can handle the pandemic? Who can keep their promises? And who cares about and will fight for working families?

Like the people here at West End, throughout this pandemic, they found their way to keep the center open safely and provide for critical services. No one here has been laid off. They adjusted their spaces for social distancing. They started a lending program to help local businesses, hair salons and other small businesses. They continued their child care services, which is critical for so many working families.

By pure courage, heart and grit, they never give up and they never give in. That's a pursuit of full promise for America. That's the story of the people of this community and this country. That's who we are. Give ordinary Americans just half a chance and they never let the country down, they'll do extraordinary things. They'll never let us down unlike the current president. And unlike the current president I won't let you down either.

That's what this election is about, helping people unite, get together and move this country back in the direction that we can be. There's nothing beyond our capacity, nothing, if we just do it together.

I thank you all and now take your questions. I guess -- are you calling on people or how am I -- I don't have a list so you go ahead and call.

REPORTER: Thank you, sir. This morning in reference to that article in The Atlantic in a call convened by your campaign, Khzir Khan said that the comments demonstrated that President Trump's life is a testament to selfishness and that his soul is that of a coward. You have talked about this as a different view of how you see the job of president.

But when you hear these remarks, suckers, losers, recoiling from amputees, what does it tell you about President Trump's soul and the life he leads?

BIDEN: I'm going to try to be measured in my response. If it's true, based on the other things he said I believe the article's true, I'd ask you all a rhetorical question. How do you feel? How would you feel if you had a kid in Afghanistan right now? How would you feel if you lost a son, daughter, husband, wife? How would you feel, for real?

I know that's not your job to express that feeling but you know. You know in your heart. Your know in your gut. It's deplorable. It's deplorable. As I've said many times, I'll say again, these folks are the backbone of America. They're the heart, the soul, the grit. That's what patriotism is about.

I probably -- I've just never been as disappointed in my whole career with a leader that I have worked with, president or otherwise, that if the article is true and it appears to be based on other things he said, it is absolutely damnable. It is a disgrace.

REPORTER: (INAUDIBLE) on a somewhat related topic, what would you say to the supporters of the QAnon, people who believe in that conspiracy, what they think is true about America, that there's sex trafficking and conspiracy against the President Trump, and what would you say to President Trump for not rejecting that conspiracy and the people who believe in it?

BIDEN: I've been a big supporter of mental health. I recommend that people who believe it maybe should take advantage of it while it still exists in the Affordable Care Act. It's bizarre, totally bizarre.

And now, if guys found that plane load of people in uniforms and weapons and flying around, I mean, you know? Have you found them yet? Is anybody even from -- and, by the way, I respect conservative and liberal points of view in the press. Anybody found that plane?

What in God's name are we doing? Look at how it makes us look around the world. It's mortifying. It's embarrassing and it's dangerous. It's dangerous. If the president doesn't know better, which I -- he has to know better, then, my Lord, we are in much more trouble than I ever thought we were. That's bizarre.

And, you know, this is a case where, you know, I've been surprised, pleased but surprised, with folks I have had political arguments with, like the former governor of Michigan coming out and endorsing me, all the Republicans are endorsing me. They reach where I am (ph) that this can't go on. I mean, this cannot go on. It's a deconstruction of a democratic system. They know it.

So I just -- I'll conclude with what you heard many say many times before. The words of a president matter, even a lousy president. It gives encouragement to people who are spouting irrational views that no one has even close to ever presuming or showing ever existed. And it's done for a simple reason.

From the very beginning, he's understood the only way he can win, the first time and can win this time, is that he fundamentally divides the nation, puts the nation, divides us at each other's throats. That's not who we are. That's not who we are.

REPORTER: Thank you, sir.

M.J. LEE, CNN POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Last night, President Trump mocked you for wearing a mask and said that this is a sign that you must have some, quote, big issues.

He says this even though he knows that, according to scientists and public health officials, wearing masks saves lives. I wonder if you worry that this kind of language that comes from the president of the United States could deter some Americans who are tuning in to him to not wear masks.

BIDEN: Well, I wear it, if it's a big issue (ph), I'm a smart fellow. I listen to scientists. This is not a game, life and death, life and death. Reports that we're going to have maybe -- some reports, they say, another 100,000 dead, as many as 100,000 dead and more by the end of the year. I mean, I don't -- I don't get it.

I mean, I just -- anyway. It's hard to respond to something so idiotic.

LEE: Okay. Before my second question, just quickly, have you been tested now for COVID-19?

BIDEN: Yes, I have.

LEE: How many times?

BIDEN: I've been tested once with the deep test and I'm going to continue to be testing on a regular basis.

LEE: Could I just ask quickly about Attorney General William Barr saying on CNN this week. He said that his assessment right now is that China poses the most aggressive threat to U.S. elections, even more than Iran or Russia. Do you believe him? Is that also your understanding based on the intelligence briefings that you have received?

BIDEN: No, it is not consistent with the briefings I have received. And he's a lousy enough attorney general but he's a really bad intelligence officer.

LEE: It's not consistent because you believe --

BIDEN: Because I believe what I've been told. And you all know it. I mean, look, it's -- you even have outfits like Facebook taking somewhat -- hey, look, it is just -- there are a lot of countries around the world and I think would be happy to see our elections destabilized. But the one working hardest, most consistently and never has let up is Russia.

And, again, it is unfair to say to you guys but ask yourself the rhetorical question. What is he so afraid of Vladimir Putin about? I mean, what's the problem?

[13:25:00]

I mean, nothing, nothing. It's almost it's obsequious.

I mean -- anyway, I just want to make it clear. I believe any country engages in any activity to de-legitimatize or impact on American elections is a direct violation of our sovereignty. And if I'm president of the United States, there will be a response.

LEE: Thank you.

REPORTER: Sir, it is been a couple weeks now since you announced Senator Harris as your running mate and haven't seen him very much, including yesterday in Kenosha. Why is that and what role do you see her playing in the --

BIDEN: She's on the road. She is out herself. The role is that, just like when Barack and I campaigned, we tried to cover as much territory as we could, and both of us out campaigning. She is an incredibly competent candidate. She is doing a great job. There will be times when we're together because there's a lot of territory to cover.

I talk with her almost every day, and I have speak with her, and we work together and I have great confidence in her. There is nothing about not campaigning together. It's about being able to cover more territory.

REPORTER: And just as a second question, do you know when you will have another COVID test? Do you have anything planned, any future testing coming in?

BIDEN: Well, what they're doing is they're going to do it on a regular basis because everyone on my service detail and people who come into the house with me, they are all tested. So I'm just do -- I just, yes, sir, show up and put my head back, you know, when they tell me.

REPORTER: You don't know when it will be?

BIDEN: Pardon me?

REPORTER: You don't know when the next one will be?

BIDEN: No. I imagine it will be sometime this week. I just don't know. But it would be a regular basis.

REPORTER: Thank you.

REPORTER: Thank you, sir. Let me ask you about another thing the president said last night. He, once again, suggested to supporters that they should consider voting twice if they're in one of those states that can allow you to request an absentee ballot, fill that out and then go try voting again in-person. State officials have said it's a felony in some cases. Just curious what you make of it.

BIDEN: It is. It is a felony, a felony here in the state of Delaware. Look, I mean, how many times does this president have to suggest things and say things where you all don't just write he's a fraud? Not being -- not an opinion. He wanted to -- maybe we should delay the election. Maybe we should -- you know, write-in ballots are fraudulent, not a single bit of evidence. I mean, it just is -- and I think it's all designed to create so much chaos that no matter what the outcome of the election is that it's thrown up in the air.

I mean, I think that must be his reason because he says and does things that no other president that I'm aware of in American history has ever done. And we all go, well, there's another ridiculous, illegal, inappropriate thing he said but, he says so many of them, it doesn't matter.

I mean, it is -- it is just -- it just undermines the legitimacy of our democratic process. And it's dangerous.

REPORTER: You said today is the angriest you have been as a presidential candidate. But you said you're trying to restrain yourself. There are a lot of people out there who are supporting you who are inclined to not vote for the president who would say, why isn't Joe Biden angrier about all of this?

BIDEN: Because presidents of the United States should be presidential and should lead by example, as well as make clear exactly where they stand. Getting down in the gutter like the president does, saying things that I'd be inclined if we were behind a barn somewhere, would be a different thing. But that's not the job of a president. The job of the president is to set an example.

My anger is real because, I must tell you, I carry and I deliberately didn't bring it with me today. Delaware National Guard had a pin made up that's a gold star that was made up for my son, Beau, who didn't die in the field.

[13:30:04]

And I always carry it with me.