President Joe Biden is trying to bring the heat on so-called “MAGA Republicans” and what he claims is a threat to American democracy.
During a speech on Thursday — which was allegedly supposed to not be political — the president sought to lay out what he sees as a grave threat to America: the MAGA philosophy and its adherents.
“Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans represent an extremism that threatens the very foundations of our republic,” Biden claimed.
He continued, “I want to be very clear up front: Not every Republican, not even the majority of Republicans, are MAGA Republicans. Not every Republican embraces their extreme ideology.”
However, he still said that the Republican Party is “dominated, driven, and intimidated by Donald Trump and the MAGA Republican,” which is “a threat to this country.”
Not to mention that just a week ago, he claimed that there are “not many real Republicans anymore.”
But while the president was supposed to be laying out a non-political speech labeling his political opponents a “threat” to the country, his staff came up with the worst, most dystopian-looking backdrop for him.
Yes, it was supposed to carry some significance as it was in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
But due to the time that he delivered the speech, it was dark out. And the building was lit up with blue and red lights. But close-up shots of Biden only captured the deep red lights on the building. And behind him was draped an American flag and two U.S. Marines who were silhouetted.
Rather than a tough-talking president fighting for America, the ominous-looking background gave off more of the feel of a dystopian sci-fi movie where some despotic leader announces a new sweeping crackdown on the “resistance.”
With a blood-red background, Biden vilifies half of the country as extreme pic.twitter.com/cfQeYn4tiK
— Nicholas Fondacaro (@NickFondacaro) September 2, 2022
And the optics certainly did not go unnoticed.
Founder of Barstool Sports Dave Portnoy wrote, “Everytime I think Biden and crew can’t be dumber they outdo themselves. Seriously who gives a speech warning people about how dangerous Republicans are to Democracy while having a background that looks like the Soviet Union and Hitler had a baby?”
Everytime I think Biden and crew can’t be dumber they outdo themselves. Seriously who gives a speech warning people about how dangerous Republicans are to Democracy while having a background that looks like the Soviet Union and Hitler had a baby? pic.twitter.com/sukqTswI3C
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) September 2, 2022
“Standing in front of a hellish red background Biden called half the country, the MAGA Republicans ‘threats’ [and] ‘clear and present dangers’,” wrote former White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany.
She added, “Then he says, ’empathy is the fuel of democracy-the willingness to see each other not as enemies but as fellow Americans…’!!!”
Standing in front of a hellish red background Biden called half the country, the MAGA Republicans "threats" & "clear and present dangers"
— Kayleigh McEnany (@kayleighmcenany) September 2, 2022
Then he says, “empathy is the fuel of democracy-the willingness to see each other not as enemies but as fellow Americans…”!!!
Check out some of the other reactions below:
I'm not saying "fascism" officially had its coming out party in America tonight… I'm just saying Biden condemned his political opponents as a threat to America and democracy set to a blood red background with the military standing behind him.
— Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) September 2, 2022
https://twitter.com/Dominiquetaegon/status/1565629560040964096
This image is the worst piece of presidential optics I have ever seen. Let us count the reasons. pic.twitter.com/aWe5mYaRkZ
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) September 2, 2022
When they’re playing “The Imperial March” as the White House is trying to do advance work. https://t.co/8XhnBjVv91
— Noah Rothman (@NoahCRothman) September 2, 2022
I’m starting to think Biden’s going to take this “Dark Brandon” schtick all the way into the Sudetenland. pic.twitter.com/7Fez3erk0q
— Michael Knowles (@michaeljknowles) September 2, 2022
Biden: My political opponents are fascists! pic.twitter.com/0MlULWzFdR
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) September 2, 2022
Democrats are in control of all branches of government but they’re still out of control angry. What’s the problem? Have they not destroyed enough of America yet? pic.twitter.com/AcZ7RrH1HC
— Senator Ron Johnson (@SenRonJohnson) September 2, 2022
Satanic ghoul pic.twitter.com/ekhmIsNWJR
— Allie Beth Stuckey (@conservmillen) September 2, 2022
Welcome to hell. Enjoy the ride. pic.twitter.com/NTW3MZtbmm
— Sara Gonzales (@SaraGonzalesTX) September 2, 2022
Not everyone was disturbed by the backdrop. Activist Charlotte Clymer wrote, “I’m glad Pres. Biden had Marine Corps guards in the background. It was an anchoring symbol of his message: there are cowards who stay silent and complicit in the face of fascism and there are Americans who readily stand against its spread to preserve democracy. Make your choice.”
I'm glad Pres. Biden had Marine Corps guards in the background. It was an anchoring symbol of his message: there are cowards who stay silent and complicit in the face of fascism and there are Americans who readily stand against its spread to preserve democracy.
— Charlotte Clymer 🇺🇦 (@cmclymer) September 2, 2022
Make your choice.
It’s one thing to try to share a warning about something or some people you perceive to be a threat to America.
But can the White House turn down the dystopian overlord vibes a bit?