A Teamsters board member who attended the private meeting said that Biden brought up Trump’s recent remarks on Social Security.
WASHINGTON In a private meeting on Tuesday, President Joe Biden focused heavily on Social Security as the influential labor group considers endorsing him for president in 2024.
One day after former President Donald Trump said in a CNBC interview that “there is a lot you can do in terms of entitlements, in terms of cutting,” Biden spoke with the leadership board on labor problems and Social Security.
As in his State of the Union speech last week, Teamsters vice president at-large John Palmer, who was there on Tuesday, claims that Biden referred to Trump as “the former president” rather than by name.
2024 Election
Biden
brings up Social Security to win over Teamsters.
A Teamsters board member who attended the private meeting said that Biden brought up Trump’s recent remarks on Social Security.
Sean O’Brien during a union hearing held by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters’ general president Sean O’Brien on November 14, 2023, at a Capitol Hill union hearing.Image by Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images
IST on March 13, 2024, at 5:44 AM
Written by Megan Lebowitz
WASHINGTON In a private meeting on Tuesday, President Joe Biden focused heavily on Social Security as the influential labor group considers endorsing him for president in 2024.
One day after former President Donald Trump said in a CNBC interview that “there is a lot you can do in terms of entitlements, in terms of cutting,” Biden spoke with the leadership board on labor problems and Social Security.
As in his State of the Union speech last week, Teamsters vice president at-large John Palmer, who was there on Tuesday, claims that Biden referred to Trump as “the former president” rather than by name.
Palmer added that Biden “got really passionate about Social Security” and brought up previous remarks made by Trump. He continued by adding that Biden used a “Joe-ism”—saying something like “C’mon, man”—while discussing Trump.
Teamsters spokesman Kara Deniz said that the union has not yet endorsed a presidential candidate for 2024, even though it typically waits until after the party conventions.
Deniz said, “We have a process we are following, and the roundtable is a part of that,” in response to the question of whether the union would adhere to their customary timetable this year.
The Democratic Convention takes place in August, whereas the Republican National Convention takes place in July.
Palmer said that some Teamsters want the union to support Biden “sooner rather than later.” For him, he belongs to that group.
“Every day counts, particularly when it comes to addressing the membership and providing an explanation for it. Palmer said, “I mean, there aren’t really any more striking contrasts between Biden and Trump.
The Teamsters announced that it “is conducting national polling of the membership and will begin work with its 360 local union affiliates to convene townhalls to hear directly from as many members in all states in the lead up to the 2024 race” in a post to X about Tuesday’s meeting.
Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien said in the union’s statement, “We appreciate President Biden taking time out of his busy schedule to meet with members and leadership.” “If elected to a second term, the President shared that he is committed to standing with labor and continuing to support workers.”
The leadership of the Teamsters met with Trump in January. He told reporters after the meeting that he thought he had a “good shot” at winning the union’s support.
He said, “Normally a Republican wouldn’t get that endorsement.”
In 2020, the union supported Biden. It had backed Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton four years before.
The Biden team mentioned previous union endorsements the president has gotten in a statement released on Tuesday, adding, “We hope to earn the support of the Teamsters as well.”
The president’s “historic, pro-union record,” which included a visit to a Michigan picket line occupied by striking autoworkers in September, was emphasized throughout the campaign.
