Biden Mockingly Calls Trump Abraham Lincoln and Accuses Him of Racism

Former Vice President Joe Biden turned one of President Donald Trump’s favorite pieces of hyperbole back at him at the final presidential debate on Thursday. Trump has often said he’s done more for African Americans than any president with the possible exception of Abraham Lincoln, who freed the slaves.

Trump repeated the claim at the debate at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. The president is unlikely to win a majority of African American voters on November 3 but he’s been pitching to that community for some time.

“Abraham Lincoln here is one of the most racist presidents we’ve had in modern history,” Biden said sarcastically.

“He pours fuel on every single racist fire. Every single one.”

Biden sarcastically refers to Trump as "Abraham Lincoln," and Trump gets confused by it pic.twitter.com/Ogdt1QXf3g

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 23, 2020

The president seemed taken aback that Biden would call him Lincoln, though the comment was obviously made in mockery.

“He made a reference to Abraham Lincoln, where did that come in?” Trump asked.

“You said you’re Abraham Lincoln,” said Biden.

“No, no. … I didn’t say ‘I’m Abraham Lincoln,'” Trump insisted. “I said, ‘Not since Abraham Lincoln has anybody done what I’ve done for the Black community.'”

Presidential debates rarely move the needle in the major elections and last night’s performance was less chaotic than the first debate on September 30. The second debate did not go ahead because Trump refused to attend a virtual event.

Watch the exchange above, via Twitter.