Biden speaks at fundraiser in Greenwich

President Biden flew to Westchester County Airport, arriving at 6:16, slightly behind the original scheduled 5:50 p.m. arrival time, in order to attend a campaign fundraising event in Greenwich. Biden exited Air Force One at 6:28 and got into a presidential limousine. The president’s motorcade was on its way to Greenwich by 6:31. Biden had flown to Westchester from Wilmington, Delaware.

The fundraising event was hosted by Richard Pepler and his wife. Pepler is the founder of the TV and film production company Eden Productions and the former CEO of HBO (Home Box Office). The event was at a six-acre estate on Sherwood Avenue in Greenwich.

The reception was held in a tent that was set up near the estate’s tennis courts. Among the guests were Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, former U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Sen. Chris Murphy, and Rep. Jim Himes.

Pepler introduced President Biden, who received a standing ovation and spoke from 7:38 to 7:49.

In prepared remarks, President Biden said, “For the first time in American history a former president that is a convicted felon is now seeking the office of the presidency. But as disturbing as that is, more damaging is the all-out assault Donald Trump is making on the American system of justice.”

Biden said that Trump poses a greater threat in a second term than he did in his first term.

“Something snapped in him when he lost in 2020,” Biden said. “He can’t accept he lost and it is literally driving him crazy. Now he’s running again. And he’s not only obsessed with losing in 2020, he is clearly unhinged.”

Biden quoted Trump as saying he wants to be a dictator on “day one” and “terminate the Constitution.”

Biden pointed out that Trump had said he is convinced that the insurrectionists who were convicted of criminal activity in the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol are “patriots” and he wants to pardon all of them.

“Trump says if he loses again in November there’ll be – in his words – a ‘bloodbath,'” Biden said. “My God what kind of man is this?”

Biden reminded the audience that Trump suggested injecting people with bleach to combat Covid and claimed he was responsible for the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Biden went on to list some of his administration’s successes including reducing unemployment, promoting action on climate change and reducing drug costs.

Biden’s motorcade was on its way back to Westchester County Airport at 8:09 for a flight to Joint Base Andrews in Price George’s County, Maryland, from where he would go to the White House. The president boarded Air Force One at 8:23. Among those flying on the plane with him were Chris Dodd and Rep. Himes.