Biden Slams Trump’s First 100 Days, Labels Ukraine Policy “Modern-Day APPEASEMENT”
Washington, D.C., May 7, 2025 – In his first public interview since leaving the White House, former President Joe Biden sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s first 100 days, accusing him of pursuing a policy of “modern-day appeasement” toward Russia over the war in Ukraine. Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today program in Delaware on Monday, Biden, 82, condemned Trump’s pressure on Ukraine to cede territory to Russia, likening it to Neville Chamberlain’s failed 1930s efforts to appease Nazi Germany. The remarks, aired Wednesday, mark Biden’s most forceful reentry into public discourse, drawing a stark contrast with Trump’s aggressive agenda and fueling debate as the U.S. navigates global alliances.
Biden’s critique centered on Trump’s handling of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, particularly a February 2025 Oval Office meeting where Trump and Vice President JD Vance publicly berated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, demanding territorial concessions to end the war. Biden called the exchange “beneath America,” arguing that Trump’s suggestion that Russia retain Crimea—annexed illegally in 2014—and other territories undermines international norms. “Anybody that thinks [Putin]’s going to stop if some territory is conceded is just foolish,” Biden said, warning that allowing “a dictator, a thug” to seize land sets a dangerous precedent. He expressed alarm that NATO allies bordering Russia might feel compelled to “make an accommodation” with Putin if Ukraine yields, risking the alliance’s cohesion.
The former president also voiced concerns about Trump’s broader foreign policy, including statements about annexing Panama, Greenland, and Canada, which Biden said have “bred distrust” in Europe. “What president ever talks like that? We’re about freedom, democracy, opportunity—not confiscation,” he told the BBC, suggesting Trump’s rhetoric threatens U.S. leadership and could “change the modern history of the world” by weakening transatlantic ties. Posts on X, such as from @LizzyBuchan, echoed Biden’s warning, quoting him saying, “If we allow a dictator… to take significant portions of land that isn’t his… I don’t understand.”
Biden contrasted his administration’s record with Trump’s, claiming he left office with a growing economy, a soaring stock market, and expanding global influence. “We were moving in a positive way, increasing trade,” he said, while accusing Trump of damaging social programs like the Social Security Administration (SSA) through job cuts that have led to website crashes and unanswered calls for millions of beneficiaries. Speaking at a disability rights event in Chicago on April 15, Biden had previously warned that Trump’s cuts, driven by the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), could cause “a calamity for millions of families.”
Trump’s first 100 days, marked on April 29, have been defined by over 140 executive orders—far surpassing Biden’s 29 in the same period—focusing on immigration crackdowns, tariffs, and dismantling Biden-era policies on climate and diversity. Trump’s border policies have reduced crossings by up to 99.99%, per the Department of Homeland Security, while his tariffs on Chinese imports aim to rebalance trade. However, his approach to Ukraine, including a brief pause in U.S. aid and a deal granting American access to Ukraine’s mineral resources, has drawn criticism for prioritizing deal-making over principle. Trump has claimed Russian President Vladimir Putin “wants peace” now that Biden is gone, a narrative Biden dismissed as naive.
Trump’s team has hit back, with White House National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes arguing that Trump is correcting Biden’s “feckless leadership” by pushing for peace talks and holding adversaries like China and Iran accountable. Trump’s defenders on X, such as @Oiluiz, praised his “focus on America First,” while critics like @nycjim labeled his Ukraine stance as “siding with Russia.” A Reuters/Ipsos poll from April 21 showed over half of Americans, including 20% of Republicans, believe Trump is “too closely aligned” with Russia, reflecting public unease.
Biden’s remarks, timed with the 80th anniversary of VE Day, underscore his institutionalist perspective, emphasizing alliances and democratic values. He acknowledged his own record on Ukraine was challenged during the interview, particularly the failure to secure a lasting peace, but defended his administration’s military support for Kyiv. As Trump celebrates his 100-day milestone with claims of economic gains—345,000 jobs created, inflation down to 2.4%—Biden urged history to judge their legacies, warning that Trump’s approach risks long-term damage to U.S. credibility. For now, the dueling narratives highlight a polarized America, with Biden’s voice adding weight to the debate over Trump’s global vision.
Sources: BBC News, The Washington Post, AP News, Reuters, NBC News, The New York Times, X posts