President Joe Biden directly sparred with Republicans over tax cuts during his 2024 State of the Union address on Thursday, prompting laughs from Democrats in the chamber.
“Republicans can cut Social Security and give more tax breaks to the wealthy,” Biden started to say as congressional Republicans started to jeer. “That’s the proposal!”
”Oh, no? You guys don’t want another $2 trillion tax cut?” Biden continued, as GOP lawmakers shouted, “Liar!”
“I kind of thought that’s what your plan was,” the president added to laughter from the Democratic side of the aisle. “Well, that’s good to hear! You’re not going to cut another $2 trillion to the super-wealthy? That’s good to hear.”
The president’s combativeness was a common theme in his speech — his last major scheduled address to nation ahead of the presidential election and therefore a high-stakes moment as he aims to convince voters to give him a second term in the White House amidst flailing poll numbers.
Biden has increasingly focused on comparing his work on economic issues to Donald Trump’s as the election ramps up and the two men have emerged as the party’s likely nominees.
