Washington, D.C. – At 12:03 AM +07 on Saturday, May 17, 2025, a passionate sentiment erupted on X, reflecting a deep frustration among some users over comparisons between former President Joe Biden and President Donald Trump. The post, “PLEASE STOP SAYING, ‘IF JOE BIDEN WOULD HAVE DONE WHAT TRUMP DID…’ BIDEN WOULDN’T HAVE DONE WHAT TRUMP DID… PERIOD. BIDEN ISN’T A CORRUPT MORON,” captures a broader debate about the two leaders’ legacies, as Trump’s second term continues to stir controversy while Biden’s defenders argue his integrity sets him apart.
The X post reflects a visceral reaction to narratives equating Biden’s potential actions with Trump’s recent moves, such as his $1.2 trillion Qatar deal and $600 billion Saudi investment, announced earlier this week, or his acceptance of a $400 million plane gift from Qatar, which has sparked ethics concerns. Critics of these comparisons, like the X user, argue that Biden’s presidency—marked by policies like the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, which invested $369 billion in clean energy—demonstrated a focus on systemic solutions rather than the transactional, self-serving deals Trump has pursued. A 2024 Pew Research survey supports this view, with 58% of respondents rating Biden as “honest” compared to 42% for Trump, highlighting a perceived moral divide.
Biden’s defenders point to his administration’s record to argue he wouldn’t have engaged in Trump’s more controversial actions. For instance, Trump’s recent tariffs, which contributed to a 2025 economic contraction, contrast with Biden’s approach of maintaining tariffs on China but pairing them with domestic manufacturing incentives, as seen in the CHIPS Act, which allocated $52 billion to boost U.S. semiconductor production. On immigration, Biden faced criticism for border policies but never implemented mass deportations without due process, a practice Springsteen criticized Trump for on May 14 during his Manchester tour stop, as reported earlier this week. “Biden wouldn’t have accepted a $400 million plane from a foreign government—that’s a Trump move,” one X user commented, echoing the sentiment of the original post.
The “corrupt moron” label aimed at Trump stems from actions like his rollback of Biden-era drug price caps on January 20, 2025, which raised costs for Medicare recipients, and his administration’s lawsuit against Denver for alleged “sanctuary” policies, filed on May 9. These moves, critics argue, prioritize political vendettas over public good—something Biden, with his focus on unity and bipartisanship, wouldn’t have pursued. Biden’s 2023 debt ceiling negotiations, where he secured a deal with Republicans despite opposition, reflect a stark contrast to Trump’s current approach, which includes pushing a tax bill that cuts social programs by $912 billion, as reported on May 13.
However, Biden’s presidency wasn’t without flaws, which fuels the comparisons some X users decry. His approval rating dipped to 41% by late 2024, per Gallup, due to inflation and immigration challenges, contributing to Kamala Harris’s loss to Trump. Critics on X argue that Biden’s inability to counter these issues effectively opened the door for Trump’s return, with one user noting, “Biden may not be corrupt, but he wasn’t strong enough to stop Trump.” Still, the narrative that Biden would mirror Trump’s actions—such as attacking cultural icons like Bruce Springsteen, as Trump did on May 16—lacks evidence, given Biden’s more measured tone during his term.
The X post underscores a broader frustration with political discourse that equates the two leaders, ignoring their fundamental differences in ethics and governance. While Trump’s second term continues to generate polarizing headlines, Biden’s supporters on X remain steadfast in defending his legacy as one of integrity, not corruption—a stance that fuels ongoing debates about what America values in its leaders.
