Biden slams Trump 'extremist' assault on democracy

US President Joe Biden's prime-time address sought to fire up voters ahead of key midterm elections

US President Joe Biden delivered a speech near the building in Philadelphia where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were adopted two centuries ago

US President Joe Biden took fierce aim Thursday at Donald Trump and his "extremist" supporters, labeling them enemies of American democracy in a prime-time address that sought to fire up voters ahead of key midterm elections.

Speaking in Philadelphia, the cradle of US democracy, the president launched an extraordinary assault on those Republicans who embrace Trump's "Make America Great Again" ideology -- and urged his own supporters to fight back.

"They embrace anger. They thrive on chaos. They live not in the light of truth but in the shadow of lies." 

Citing the nationwide assault on abortion rights by hardline conservatives -- and fears for other freedoms ranging from contraception access to same-sex marriage -- the US leader charged that "MAGA forces" were "determined to take this country backwards." 

And he made it clearer than ever that Democrats intended to make the midterms a referendum on Trump, saying the Republican Party was wholly "dominated, driven and intimidated" by the former president and his MAGA agenda.

"Protect it. Stand up for it," Biden urged.

"If he doesn't want to Make America Great Again, which through words, action, and thought, he doesn't, then he certainly should not be representing the United States of America!" Trump wrote.

Biden's speech -- billed as an address on the "battle for the Soul of the Nation" -- harked back to an article he published in The Atlantic magazine in 2017, after a deadly white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, that he says spurred his presidential run. 

After his election in 2020, the veteran politician initially planned for more dialogue with moderate Republican lawmakers, and through economic and social policies aimed at the middle class.

Last week, Biden accused Trump's supporters of being consumed by "semi-fascism."

"With all due respect Mr President, there's nothing wrong with America's soul," retorted Republican senator and longtime Trump loyalist Lindsey Graham after Biden's speech. 

A new poll published Thursday by The Wall Street Journal shows that if the midterm elections were held today, 47 percent of eligible voters would cast ballots for Democrats, and 44 percent would vote Republican. 

The Democrats are hoping for an upset in November's elections, in which all of the seats in the House of Representatives and a third of the Senate seats are on the ballot. Traditionally, the midterms don't favor the ruling party.

This would be enough to give hope to the Democrats, who are battling to keep their hold on the House and preserve their Senate majority -- or even strengthen it.

Historically a key battleground in US politics, the Keystone State will likely prove vital to both parties in the midterms -- and Biden will visit three times this week alone.

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