Joe Biden may have left the White House, but he’s showing no signs of staying silent. In fact, he’s speaking louder than ever.

A new national poll from Marquette University Law School has set off a political ripple — and Biden, ever the fighter, couldn’t resist responding.

The survey, which questioned more than 1,000 adults from across the United States, measured how Americans feel about two of the most defining figures in modern U.S. politics: former President Barack Obama and former President Donald Trump.

The results tell a familiar story — one that continues to sting Trump and energize Democrats. According to the findings, 57% of Americans hold a favorable view of Obama, while only 42% feel positively toward Trump.

That gives Obama a net favorability rating of +17 points, compared with Trump’s –15. Despite being out of office for nearly eight years, Obama remains one of the most admired figures in American politics.

Biden, who served as Obama’s vice president for eight years and often refers to him as “a brother,” took those numbers personally — and politically.

“He’s Taking a Wrecking Ball to Democracy”

Speaking at a Democratic Party fundraising dinner in Omaha, Nebraska, Biden came out swinging. With his trademark mix of sarcasm and moral indignation, he took direct aim at Trump’s leadership style, his policies, and even his rumored plan to redesign the White House during his presidency.

“I knew Trump was going to take a wrecking ball to the country,” Biden said to a crowd of hundreds, drawing laughter and applause. “But I didn’t think he’d actually bring one to the White House.”

The remark referred to reports that Trump once floated the idea of tearing down part of the East Wing to construct a grand ballroom for state dinners and personal events.

Biden called the idea “a perfect symbol of how Trump sees the presidency — not as public service, but as self-service.” He went further, accusing Trump of undermining the nation’s institutions.

“Trump has taken a wrecking ball not just to the people’s house,” Biden said, “but to the Constitution, to the rule of law, to our democracy itself.”

The audience erupted in applause as Biden paused briefly, his tone turning serious. “We’re fighting for something bigger than politics,” he continued. “We’re fighting for the soul of this nation — and I’m not backing down.”

Mocking the “Golden Age” Claim

Biden didn’t stop there. He turned to Trump’s frequent claim that America is living in a “golden age” because of his leadership.

“The only gold is the stuff he’s hanging on the mantle,” Biden quipped, sparking laughter across the room. “You work for us, Mr. President. We don’t work for you. Not just for billionaires and millionaires.

We work for everyone — the teachers, the nurses, the firefighters, the families just trying to get by. I’m angry, because our democracy deserves better than a man who treats public office like a personal brand.”

That line drew one of the night’s biggest standing ovations.

A Personal Battle — and a Renewed Purpose

Biden’s fiery tone has also taken on new depth since he revealed earlier this year that he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer.

In May, his office released a statement confirming that doctors had found a malignant tumor following weeks of symptoms. The statement described it as a Gleason score 9 (Grade Group 5) cancer with metastasis to the bone — one of the most serious stages of the disease.

Following radiation therapy and ongoing treatment, Biden expressed gratitude to his medical team and his family. “I thank God for the doctors and nurses and for the incredible breakthroughs we’re making in cancer research,” he said in an earlier press briefing.

But even in discussing his health, Biden turned political. He criticized Trump and Republican lawmakers for proposing budget cuts to healthcare programs, including funding for the National Institutes of Health and Medicare expansion.

“After everything I’ve been through — after every scan, every treatment — I can tell you this: health care is not a privilege. It’s a right,” Biden declared.

“Now Trump and his friends are cutting government funding for health care, making it harder and more expensive for nearly everyone. That’s not leadership. That’s cruelty.”

Still in the Fight

For Biden, the latest poll isn’t just a snapshot of public opinion — it’s a reminder that the values he and Obama championed still resonate with millions of Americans.

Even as he faces his own health challenges, he’s leaning into the fight for what he calls “the future of American democracy.”

“I’m not running away from this,” he said. “I’ve fought bullies my whole life — on the playground, in the Senate, in the White House — and I’m not about to stop now.”

The crowd in Omaha rose to its feet as Biden ended his speech with a message that captured both his resilience and his defiance: “The work of defending democracy doesn’t end when you leave the White House. It ends when we stop caring.

And I’ll never stop caring.” Whether the remarks were a hint at a continued political role or simply a passionate defense of his record, one thing was clear: Joe Biden isn’t done talking — and he’s certainly not done fighting.

What’s your view on Biden’s comments and the new poll results?

Do you think Obama’s continued popularity says something about today’s political climate — or about Trump’s lasting impact?