Manuel Balse Senator/AP
President Joe Biden speaks at the Julian Dixon Library in Culver City, California, on February 21.
CNN
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President Joe Biden called Russian President Vladimir Putin a “crazy SOB” at a fundraiser in San Francisco on Wednesday, according to Pool reporters who accompanied him.
“We have crazy SOBs, like President Putin. And we always have to worry about nuclear conflict. But the existential threat to humanity is climate,” Biden said at the fundraiser. He spoke to the people gathered.
In response to Biden's comments, the Kremlin said Thursday that the comments were a “deep shame” for the United States.
Biden also criticized former President Donald Trump's comments in which he compared his legal troubles to the death of Russian opposition leader and Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. After paraphrasing his predecessor's comments, the president told attendees: “If I stood here 10 to 15 years ago and said this, you would think I should be committed.”
“He compared himself to Mr. Navalny and said that because our country became a communist country, he was persecuted in the same way that Mr. Navalny was persecuted.” According to reporters who were present, Mr. Biden He is quoted as saying, “If I were to stand here 10 to 15 years ago and say this, you would think I should be committed. . . . That would be amazing.''
In stark contrast to Biden and other Western leaders, Trump, the 2024 Republican presidential front-runner, has yet to blame Russia or Putin for Navalny's death.
In recent weeks, President Trump has also indicated several times that he will not protect NATO members from Russian attack if they do not meet defense spending guidelines, a comment that Biden echoed. “He admitted that he intended to give permission to President Putin.” Shining light on more war and violence.”
Following the former president's comments earlier this month, Biden added that Trump “has been clear that we are abandoning our NATO allies.”
When asked by a reporter from state broadcaster Russia 1 about the US president's comments, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “It can be said that such a disrespectful statement by the head of the United States is unlikely to offend another head of state in any way.” This is a great shame for the country, especially for President Putin, for the country – the United States of America. . ”
“So if the president of such a country uses such words, it is shameful,” he added.
“Clearly, Mr. Biden is exhibiting Hollywood cowboy-like behavior to serve domestic political interests.”
At Wednesday's fundraiser, Biden was introduced by venture capitalist John Doerr, the White House said. According to Poole, Biden spoke for 16 minutes and thanked former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for participating in the fundraiser.
“I think she's the best speaker in the history of the House of Representatives. I appreciate that, according to reporters who were there, she was mostly on our side,” Biden said.
At his second fundraiser in San Francisco on Wednesday, Biden sought to draw further contrasts with his predecessor, telling attendees in November that nine heads of state told him “we have to win.” Ta.
“If I walk out of a meeting, the head of state will find an excuse to come up to me and say, “We have to win.'' Not because I'm special. must win.'' According to Poole, nine heads of state have done the same for me,'' Biden said.
“Don't compare me to the Almighty, but compare me to a replacement. This replacement, according to Poole, is a different kind of cat,” he is quoted as saying. Pelosi then interrupted the president and said, “Don't say that about cats,” drawing laughter from the audience.
The president will attend another campaign event in Los Altos Hills, California, on Thursday and is expected to return to the White House in the evening.
This story has been updated with additional information.
CNN's Kate Sullivan, Carnita Iyer and Anna Chernova contributed to this report.
