Former President Joseph R. Biden on Saturday accused President Trump of corruption in a speech to rally Maryland Democrats, but then couldn’t find his way off the stage until he finally asked for directions.
Speaking Saturday night at the Maryland Democratic Party’s Fight Back & Win summit at a casino in Hanover, Mr. Biden defended his record and blasted his successor, saying Mr. Trump has personally profited off the presidency.
“Have you noticed that Americans are saying the economy under the Biden administration is a hell of a lot better than under Trump?” Mr. Biden asked the crowd.
“It’s not just his vanity projects — tearing down the East Wing of the White House making room for his ballroom. Putting his name on the Kennedy Center. Building an arch in his own honor. Even hiring his own pool guy to fix the reflecting pool. Whoa, what a loser,” he said.
Mr. Biden detailed ways in which Mr. Trump’s personal fortune has grown while he’s been in office.
“It’s simply stunning to me. He has no shame. And, frankly, it’s embarrassing for the country,” the former president said.
Mr. Biden, 83, coughed heavily throughout his speech, which took place on the two-year anniversary of his disastrous televised debate against Mr. Trump. His poor performance prompted criticism from within his party, and he ultimately dropped out of the race.
Upon concluding his speech, Mr. Biden needed help figuring out which way to leave the stage. He turned to the side, appearing to ask for help, then pointed in two different directions to determine the best route. Once he figured it out, he walked off the stage with his back to the crowd.
His struggle to leave the stage came roughly one week after he had a similar gaffe at the grand opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Library in Chicago.
At the end of the event, Mr. Biden was left onstage looking bewildered after everyone else left the stage at its conclusion. He wandered around the stage for a bit and then walked up to the podium and shouted, “Where’s my granddaughter?” Finally, former first lady Jill Biden came back out and guided him offstage.
