Paris, France – President Biden is set to visit a historic American cemetery in France on Sunday, a poignant gesture as he pays tribute to fallen soldiers and highlights a controversial moment from Donald Trump’s time in office. Biden’s visit to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery, which Trump had reportedly skipped during a 2018 trip, is part of a five-day trip to France where the current president emphasizes the differences between his presidency and his predecessor’s.
During his visit to France, Biden refrained from mentioning Trump by name in public but strategically highlighted the contrasting approaches of their administrations. By emphasizing the stark differences between the two leaders, Biden aims to address the phenomenon of “Trump amnesia” identified by pollsters and historians. As memories of Trump’s presidency appear to fade for some Americans, Biden seeks to remind voters of the turbulent moments of the past four years.
The decision to visit the cemetery formerly snubbed by Trump offers Biden the opportunity to underscore his predecessor’s perceived failings without directly engaging in explicit criticism. Through speeches, visits to significant locations, and campaign ads featuring Trump’s controversial remarks, Biden strategically positions himself as a “reminder in chief.” The goal is to ensure that voters remember the reasons they chose to elect him over Trump.
Despite refraining from mentioning Trump by name during his time in France, Biden’s actions and statements implicitly convey a rebuke of his predecessor’s worldview and policies. By denouncing isolationism, advocating against hateful ideologies, and underscoring the importance of democratic values, Biden sets the stage for a contrast between his administration’s approach and that of Trump. The visit to the American cemetery serves as a symbolic moment to resurface memories of Trump’s alleged disparaging remarks towards fallen service members.
Biden’s campaign has been proactive in combatting “Trump amnesia” by highlighting key moments of Trump’s presidency that may have faded from public memory. Through speeches, visits, and digital ads, Biden works to keep the focus on incidents like the January 6th Capitol attack and Trump’s handling of various crises. The upcoming cemetery visit is expected to be a poignant yet subtle reminder to voters of the contrast between the two administrations.
As Biden continues to navigate the challenge of ensuring voters do not forget the complexities of Trump’s presidency, he faces an uphill battle against the nostalgia that some Americans may feel for the previous administration. Both Biden and Trump strategically use social media, public appearances, and campaign rallies to shape voters’ memories and perceptions. The upcoming cemetery visit represents another opportunity for Biden to reinforce the differences between his presidency and that of his predecessor.