Biden criticized Donald Trump's record and legal troubles during the rally
Biden outlined plans for a second term including codifying abortion rights, signing the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, ending medical debt, raising minimum wage and banning assault weapons
Joe Biden announced his reelection bid in Detroit, Michigan on July 12, 2024
In the 2024 presidential campaign, Joe Biden and Donald Trump continue to make headlines. On July 12, President Biden held a rally in Detroit, Michigan where he declared his intention to run for reelection and criticized Trump's record.
Biden faced intense scrutiny due to recent gaffes and calls from some Democrats for him to step down as the nominee. However, at the rally, he emphasized his plans for a second term, including codifying abortion rights, signing the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, ending medical debt, raising the minimum wage and banning assault weapons.
Trump's criminal conviction and various indictments were also topics of discussion during Biden's speech. He referred to Trump as a
US President Joe Biden renewed his commitment to run for re-election in Michigan despite calls for him to quit the race.
Biden intends to codify abortion rights, sign the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, raise the minimum wage and move towards a ban on assault weapons during his second term.
There is a large Arab and Muslim American population in Michigan, who are concerned about Biden’s handling of the war in Gaza.
Arab and Muslim Americans in Detroit feel ‘disenfranchised and disrespected’ over Biden’s unconditional support for Israel’s war on Gaza.
Accuracy
Biden told voters in Detroit that he is the better choice over former President Donald Trump.
Union Auto Workers president Shawn Fain praised Biden for standing ‘with the working class’
A group of protesters gathered at Biden’s rally in Detroit to voice concerns about the mounting death toll in Israel’s war on Gaza and save Palestinian lives.
Tens of thousands have voted ‘uncommitted’ in Michigan in protest against Biden and the Democratic Party’s policies, especially their unwavering support for Israel.
Deception
(30%)
The article contains selective reporting as it only reports details that support the author's position of Biden facing challenges in the election due to his handling of the war in Gaza and his mental sharpness. The article also uses emotional manipulation by quoting activists who are upset about Biden's policy towards Israel and Palestinians, implying that he is a warmonger and genocide supporter. Additionally, there is no disclosure of sources in the article.
Speaking to Al Jazeera, activist Lexis Zeidan said the protesters had a unifying purpose – ‘to save Palestinian lives’. Zeidan was among the organisers of the ‘uncommitted’ movement, which saw hundreds of thousands of voters across the country cast ballots in protest against Biden and the Democratic Party’s policies...
To put it in perspective, in the primary, Biden got about 600,000 votes in Michigan... But Biden’s also underwater with Black voters, young voters, Hispanic voters. He’s down from where he was in polling last time around...
Suehaila Amen, a community advocate, said Arab and Muslim Americans in the Detroit area feel ‘disenfranchised and disrespected’ over his unconditional support for Israel’s war on Gaza. ‘He is a warmonger and genocide supporter. He continues to aid and abet a genocide on the innocent civilians of Gaza.’
Fallacies
(80%)
The author makes an appeal to authority by quoting Al Jazeera's John Hendren and reporting on the number of uncommitted voters in Michigan. Additionally, there are instances of inflammatory rhetoric used by activists towards President Biden.
“He is a warmonger and genocide supporter. He continues to aid and abet a genocide on the innocent civilians of Gaza,”
“Biden continues to show the greater global community that the only thing he cares about is ensuring his allies have carte blanche to slaughter as they wish with our tax dollars funding the murder of innocent men, women and children. He is a disgrace to the nation as a leader.”
Bias
(50%)
The author Al Jazeera presents a neutral report of the situation but does express some bias towards the Palestinian cause by quoting activists who are critical of Biden's support for Israel and its actions in Gaza. This bias is evident in the following examples:
“He is a warmonger and genocide supporter. He continues to aid and abet a genocide on the innocent civilians of Gaza.”
“The goal was to get him to understand that if he did not listen to the demands of the people, which is to ensure a permanent ceasefire … then he’s going to lose the White House.”
Joe Biden delivered a defiant speech in Michigan, emphasizing his plans for a second term and addressing calls to quit as the Democratic presidential nominee.
Biden criticized Trump directly, calling him a loser and referring to his legal battles and record on jobs and the economy.
He reiterated his stance on various policies, including codifying abortion rights, signing the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, ending medical debt, raising the minimum wage and banning assault weapons.
Biden made some embarrassing slips during his press conference at the Nato summit, introducing Volodymyr Zelenskiy of Ukraine as ‘President Putin’ and referring to Kamala Harris as ‘Vice-President Trump.’
He also addressed Project 2025, a policy plan led by the Heritage Foundation, highlighting its extremist agenda as per Democrats.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(30%)
The article contains several examples of deceptive practices. First, the author uses emotional manipulation by describing Biden's speech as 'defiant' and 'firmly dismissing doubt.' He also uses sensationalism by implying that there is significant speculation about Biden quitting the race when in reality, there have been calls for him to step down from some Democrats. The article also engages in selective reporting by only mentioning the negative aspects of Trump's legal battles and ignoring any potential positive developments or context. Lastly, the author makes a false statement by claiming that 'Trump has tried to disavow Project 2025,' when in fact, there is no evidence that Trump has ever publicly denied supporting the policy plan.
The Sunrise Movement also called for Biden to quit. Aru Shiney-Ajay, executive director of the youth-led climate-focused activist group, said she was ‘concerned Joe Biden isn’t in a position to mobilise young voters and win.’
The reception will probably be welcomed by Biden’s teams, as calls in Washington for the 81-year-old president to quit intensified.
There was further worrying news for Democrats when the New York Times reported that so long as Biden remains the nominee, major donors will put on hold ‘roughly $90m in pledged donations.’
Fallacies
(80%)
The author makes an appeal to authority when quoting the Democratic leader in the House of Representatives, Hakeem Jeffries, stating that discussions about Biden's age and fitness for office were 'candid, clear-eyed and comprehensive'. This does not constitute a logical fallacy on its own but can be seen as an attempt to bolster credibility. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric when describing Project 2025 as 'the biggest attack on our system of government and our personal freedom that has ever been proposed to this country'. This is an example of hyperbole, which is a type of informal fallacy.
The reception will probably be welcomed by Biden’s teams, as calls in Washington for the 81-year-old president to quit intensified.
Discussions about Biden’s age and fitness for office had been 'candid, clear-eyed and comprehensive'.
Project 2025 is the biggest attack on our system of government and our personal freedom that has ever been proposed to this country.
Bias
(80%)
Martin Pengelly demonstrates political bias by taking a clear stance against Donald Trump and expressing support for Joe Biden throughout the article. He uses derogatory language towards Trump, referring to him as 'a loser' and 'Herbert Hoover Trump'. The author also quotes Biden directly, who also expresses negative sentiments towards Trump.
Another four years of Donald Trump is deadly serious. Deadly serious.
Do you really want to go back to the chaos of Donald Trump as president?
Joe Biden delivered a defiant speech on Friday evening in the battleground state of Michigan, firmly dismissing the doubt swirling around his survival as the Democratic presidential nominee.
Project 2025 is the biggest attack on our system of government and our personal freedom that has ever been proposed to this country.
Throughout the speech, Biden reiterated his plans for a second term, including codifying abortion rights, signing the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, ending medical debt, raising the minimum wage and banning assault weapons.
Biden zeroed in on Trump’s criminal conviction, various indictments, and civil case where he was found liable of sexually abusing a New York writer.
Biden homed in on Project 2025, a collection of personnel and policy initiatives prepared by conservative think tanks ahead of a Republican presidential administration.
Some major Democratic donors have frozen roughly $90 million in pledged donations to the largest pro-Biden super PAC as long as Biden is atop the ticket.
Biden was met by House Democrats, state lawmakers, union leaders and Octavia Spencer upon arrival in Michigan. However, Michigan’s highest profile Democrats like Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters were not present.
