By Ben Shapiro and Shreya Vaidhyanathan, Editor-in-Chief and Co-Managing Editor
The day after his State of the Union address, President Joe Biden spoke at Strath Haven Middle School in Delaware County. He addressed greater Philadelphia-area residents for the second time in 2024 as the state gears up for its primary elections on April 23.
“We are the first generation in half a century to give our daughters a country with fewer rights than we have,” Dr. Jill Biden said in her introductory remarks. “Joe is working tirelessly to defend our freedoms, our future and our democracy.”
The first lady welcomed the president who began his speech by reaffirming his stance on abortion rights. He delivered pointed attacks at former President Donald Trump and promised to fight for the right to choose if reelected.
“He came to office determined to overturn Roe v. Wade. In fact, he’s bragged about it repeatedly,” Biden said. “Send me to Congress so that I can support this right, and I promise you we will restore Roe v. Wade as the law of the land.”
Biden focused the latter half of his speech on the economy. He asked if anyone in the audience wanted to change their tax rate to the current 8.2% that billionaires pay. When an audience member yelled out “I pay more in taxes than that,” the president responded, “You sure as hell do.”
After Biden’s speech, Pennsylvania state Sen. Tim Kearney referred to the $14 billion surplus in Pennsylvania state government funds created by federal stimulus money as “amazing.” He said that he “loves Biden’s emphasis” on wealthy corporations paying 25% in taxes.
“When we support the lower class and we support the middle class, we all benefit,” Kearney said in an interview with The Spoke.
Springfield Pharmacy owner Chichi Ilonzo Momah introduced the first family with a speech highlighting Biden’s contributions to small businesses.
“Through President Biden’s work to improve our economy, we’ve been able to create new jobs in my business,” Momah said. “We have an ally in President Joe Biden.”
Check out photos from the event below.
Ben Shapiro can be reached at [email protected]
Shreya Vaidhyanathan can be reached at [email protected]
