Former President Donald Trump told donors that the aging Joe Biden, noted for his physical impairment and memory lapses, may have “literally” soiled the famous Resolute Desk in the White House’s Oval Office.
Trump’s remarks came during a Saturday evening fundraiser in Palm Beach, Florida. Trump criticized President Joe Biden’s border policy and commented on further poor decision-making in the Oval Office, specifically referring to the historically significant Resolute Desk.
“The Resolute Desk is beautiful,” said Trump. “Ronald Reagan used it, others used it. And [Biden’s] using it. I might not use it the next time. It’s been soiled. And I mean that literally, which is sad,” Trump continued.
While Trump’s remarks were likely in jest — “The attendee who witnessed the moment said that dinner guests laughed,” reported The New York Times — some mainstream media organizations have sought to depict Trump’s joke as a “baseless” lie. The Independent, for example, reported that “Trump wildly claims Biden ‘soiled’ himself on White House Resolute desk in latest baseless rant.”
Earlier this year, the Trump campaign released a video mocking Biden’s age-addled body and mind, joking that the octogenarian is enjoying “White House senior living.” Biden’s frailty and cognitive impairment have become an increasing concern for Democrats heading into the 2024 election.