Trump has name-dropped Biden almost 900 times this year and counting

US President Donald Trump has invoked Joe Biden’s name nearly 900 times this year, according to a Reuters analysis, keeping his predecessor at the heart of political debate as Republicans fight to maintain their slim majority in Congress ahead of November's midterm elections.

Trump has targeted Biden, a Democrat, an average of three times daily across public addresses, press remarks, and Truth Social posts. He has held Biden accountable for wide-ranging challenges, from inflation and border security to military ammunition deficits, even as the former president, 83 and battling Stage 4 cancer, has largely withdrawn from public life.

The strategy highlights Trump's effort to keep voters focused on the alleged shortcomings of the previous administration rather than concerns over his own presidency, with six weeks remaining until the November 3 midterm elections.

Democrats "delivered you four years of disaster, bedlam and death under sleepy Joe Biden," Trump, 80, told the party faithful at the Republican midterm convention in Dallas on September 9.

"Donald Trump always needs a foil and it's better to have a single person than a party," said Republican strategist Ryan Williams. "He’s done this throughout his time in office. He can use it to try to deflect any problems he’s currently facing."

The Reuters analysis reviewed Trump's references to Biden beginning in January, as the 2026 election cycle took shape. The data underscores Trump's effort to focus attention on Biden as his own approval ratings have dropped, the war with Iran continues, and the cost of living remains high.

Since January 1, Trump has called out Biden by name at least 890 times, spanning nearly 200 public events and interviews alongside approximately 190 Truth Social posts this year.

He has invoked Biden at least 210 times on economic issues, 168 times on immigration, and 138 times on foreign policy and national security, while also blaming him for various other domestic matters.

These criticisms have occurred at events as varied as first lady Melania Trump’s movie premiere, the National Prayer Breakfast, and the traditional Easter Egg Roll on the White House South Lawn . During a July NATO meeting in Turkey, Trump set a record for single-day mentions with 16, blaming Biden for munitions shortages, housing costs, and denigrating the steel industry.

While presidents frequently blame their predecessors—as Biden did with Trump—Trump's emphasis on Biden 20 months into his second term stands out for both its volume and persistence.

"Joe Biden is the worst president in American history, and President Trump has spent every day cleaning up his mess and making the United States of America stronger than ever before," said Olivia Wales, a White House spokeswoman defending Trump's repeated references.

However, Meghan Hays, a former senior Biden White House official, criticized what she termed Trump's "obsession."

"Nine hundred mentions in less than a year isn’t governing, it’s an obsession. Joe Biden beat him once and Trump still hasn’t gotten over it.