Joe Biden uses fiery State of the Union address to contrast with Donald Trump

Biden faced heightened emotions — particularly among his base supporters — over his staunch backing for Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza

President Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union address Picture: Andrew Harnik/AP

President Joe Biden turned his State of the Union speech into an animated argument for a second term as he laced into Republican frontrunner Donald Trump for espousing “resentment, revenge and retribution” and jeopardising freedom at home and abroad.

Over and over, Mr Biden delivered broadsides at “my predecessor” without ever mentioning Mr Trump by name — 13 times in all — raising his voice repeatedly as he tried to quell voter concerns about his age and job performance while sharpening the contrast with his all-but-certain November rival.