COLUMBIA, S.C. — Former President Joe Biden emerged from relative seclusion Friday evening to attend a special appreciation event in South Carolina, where Democratic supporters honored him as the candidate they helped propel to the presidency six years ago. Despite facing criticism elsewhere for his unsuccessful reelection bid that led to Donald Trump’s White House return, the Columbia audience greeted the Delaware native as a champion.
“Thank you,” Biden responded to enthusiastic applause as longtime ally Rep. Jim Clyburn introduced him on a stage inside a downtown Columbia art museum. “It’s good to be back home.”
During his speech, Biden took aim at Trump, warning that the current president might interfere with upcoming midterm elections. He claimed Trump is “trying to steal the election, because he knows he can’t win your vote.”
“Mark my words,” Biden continued. “I hope I’m wrong.”
The rainy evening event, organized by South Carolina’s Democratic Party, marked six years since Biden’s crucial primary triumph in the state. His presidential campaign had been struggling until that South Carolina win launched him to the nomination’s forefront.
Biden has maintained a low profile since departing the presidency. This South Carolina visit provided some comfort following a challenging period for the 83-year-old former leader. Trump has reversed numerous Biden administration policies, and Biden revealed in May that he’s battling prostate cancer that has metastasized to his bones. His spokesperson confirmed in October that he’s undergoing radiation and hormone treatments.
The former president has often called South Carolina his adopted home state beyond his Delaware roots. His family regularly vacations on Kiawah Island near Charleston, and he sought solace there following his son Beau’s cancer death.
“Folks, when it mattered, you were there for me,” Biden told the crowd Friday. “You believed in me … and I believed in you, too.”
During his Senate years, Biden forged strong bonds with the state’s veteran senators from both parties — Republican Strom Thurmond and Democrat Fritz Hollings — even delivering funeral speeches for both at South Carolina ceremonies.
Biden concluded his presidency in Charleston this past January, encouraging Americans to “keep the faith in a better day to come” as Trump prepared for his return to office.
However, Biden’s strongest South Carolina connection remains his friendship with Clyburn, whose pre-primary endorsement in 2020 seemingly energized Black voters who form the backbone of the state’s Democratic base.
“My buddy Jim Clyburn, you brought me back!” he declared.
Clyburn, who presented Biden on Friday, expressed no regrets about his endorsement decision.
“There is no American ever who has demonstrated through his service more substance and, I might add, sustenance, than Joe Robinette Biden Jr.,” he stated.
Biden elevated South Carolina’s prominence during his administration. He successfully pushed for the state to lead the Democratic primary schedule, reshaping the party’s nomination process, and appointed Orangeburg native Jaime Harrison as Democratic National Committee chairman.
South Carolina Democrats now face uncertainty as the national party reviews its primary timeline, potentially diminishing the state’s political significance.
State Democratic Party Chair Christale Spain defended South Carolina’s importance, arguing that the state’s 2020 support for Biden ultimately led to Trump’s defeat.
“South Carolina did what South Carolina does best,” Spain explained. “We made the difference.”
Biden entertained the Democratic audience with jokes targeting Trump.
“Did you see Trump give the State of the Union the other night?” he asked, referencing Tuesday’s record-length address. “He still talking?”
