Critics on social media have slammed President Biden after video footage showed a sparse turnout of supporters greeting his motorcade in Atlanta, where he attended a fundraiser and delivered a commencement speech at Morehouse College.
“Crooked Joe Biden – dazed and confused, as usual – shuffles down the short stairs in Atlanta ahead of his day of pandering. He ignores questions,” the Republican National Committee (RNC) posted as Biden landed in the city.
“If a presidential motorcade passes through town but nobody cares – did it pass through town?” the RNC followed up, sharing footage of primarily empty streets with a few people filming the motorcade.
Biden attended a fundraiser in Atlanta’s upscale Buckhead neighbourhood, praising Georgia voters for his 2020 victory over former President Trump. “If you ever doubt the power of the vote, I say come to Georgia. You are the reason I won. Georgia is the reason I’m president right now,” Biden told supporters at the event, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The video showing the apparent lack of enthusiasm for Biden’s motorcade sparked widespread criticism on social media. Clips circulating online depicted largely empty sidewalks as the president’s motorcade passed.
“Biden arrived in Georgia for a campaign event, and his motorcade drove through deep blue Atlanta. Nobody cared,” one user posted. Another user remarked sarcastically, “Mobs gather in Atlanta to see Joe Biden’s motorcade.”
“Haha. Man, can Biden draw a crowd? The only people there are waiting to cross the street,” another user commented, mocking the footage.
Another critical tweet read, “A massive crowd of almost Biden’ se line the streets as Biden’s motorcade “e passes through in Atlanta.”
Biden also visited Mary Mac’s Tea Room in Atlanta before heading to the Arthur M. Blank Family Office for the fundraiser. “You all brought me to the dance,” Biden told supporters at the tea room. “You made a gigantic difference. It’s easy to forget, but I don’t forget.”
Some Morehouse College students voiced their dissatisfaction with Biden’s visit. “The general feeling on the ground is that we don’t want him here,” a student named Malik told WSB-TV. “It’s pronounced that we’re being used to score political points and get more Black votes.”
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Another student said, “We don’t want Biden. We don’t want politics. And we don’t want Biden to come speak politics.”
Students and faculty also protested the U.S.’s handling of the war in Israel ahead of Biden’s speech. Morehouse student Anwar Karim commented, “I understand from a political aspect why he is coming, but from a human and moral level, it makes no sense for the college to invite him or give him an honorary degree.”
Morehouse College President David Thomas warned against disruptive protests during Biden’s speech. “If faced with the choice, I will cease the ceremonies on the spot. This will not be a place where there will be a national photo op of individuals being taken out of the Morehouse campus in zip ties by the police,” Thomas stated.
Biden’s visit to Atlanta follows a New York Times poll showing Trump leading Biden in several key battleground states, including Georgia. Trump’s support among Black voters has surged to 22%, while Biden’s support has dropped by 12%.
Last month, Trump visited Atlanta and drew significant crowds. He made a stop at Chick-fil-A, where he bought patrons chicken and milkshakes, and attended a fundraiser in Buckhead.
