Is Biden 'baiting' Trump into Virginia gubernatorial race?
President Biden on Friday night hit the campaign trail in Arlington, Virginia, for the state's Democratic gubernatorial candidate — and former governor — Terry McAuliffe. Biden used his time addressing the crowd to not only build up McAuliffe, but also take a shot at former President Donald Trump.
"This is a big deal," Biden said, referring to McAuliffe's showdown with Republican candidate Glenn Youngkin, who has Trump's backing. "Terry and I share a lot in common. I ran against Donald Trump and so is Terry. And I whipped Donald Trump in Virginia and so will Terry. I tell you what, the guy Terry is running against is an acolyte of Donald Trump — for real, I mean it's just like, I don't where these guys come from."
The New York Times' Jonathan Martin says that Biden's comments are very much part of his team's strategy to get Trump more involved in the Virginia race. "The strategy is to keep baiting Trump into the [Virginia] race, and eventually lure him to [Virginia], and Biden threw out a big worm toward the lily pads last night," Martin wrote Saturday on Twitter. Read more about the campaign event, which was Biden's first in-person, candidate-specific appearance since he became president in January, at CNN.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Tim is a staff writer at The Week and has contributed to Bedford and Bowery and The New York Transatlantic. He is a graduate of Occidental College and NYU's journalism school. Tim enjoys writing about baseball, Europe, and extinct megafauna. He lives in New York City.
-
Thrilling must-see operas for 2025
The Week Recommends From Carmen to Peter Grimes, these are the UK's top productions
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
There is a 'third state' between life and death
Under the radar Cells can develop new abilities after their source organism dies
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Is it worth getting an interest-only mortgage?
The Explainer Your monthly payments may be cheaper but the full mortgage amount will need to be paid back eventually
By Marc Shoffman, The Week UK Published
-
Trump touts early wins in partisan speech to Congress
Speed Read The president said he is 'just getting started' with his sweeping changes to immigration, the economy and foreign policy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trudeau blasts Trump's 'very dumb' trade war
Speed Read Retaliatory measures have been announced by America's largest trading partners following Trump's tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Are we really getting a government shutdown this time?
Talking Points Democrats rebel against budget cuts by Trump, Musk
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Deportation of Ohio's Haitians could spark economic turmoil
The Explainer Temporary protected status (TPS) is set to expire for 500,000 Haitians in August
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Why is Trump's cryptocurrency reserve plan putting some economists on edge?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION The president has named five cryptocurrencies he wants to see added to a federal stockpile as experts and lawmakers alike warn that the whole project could be a total flop
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump pauses military aid to Ukraine after public spat
Speed Read Trump and J.D. Vance berated Volodymyr Zelenskyy for what they saw as insufficient gratitude
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's Mexico and Canada tariffs begin, roiling markets
Speed Read Stocks plunged after Trump affirmed that the tariffs would take effect, sparking a likely trade war
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
National parks: Feeling the pain of staff cuts
Feature The Trump administration has fired around 1,000 National Park Service employees
By The Week US Published