Hunter Biden said former President Donald Trump succeeded by exploiting the "fear of the other," but warned this tactic will not last forever [1].
Biden's comments highlight the ongoing debate over the impact of populist rhetoric on American social cohesion and the role of digital platforms in amplifying political division.
Speaking from the CTV News Question Period studio in Canada on June 28, 2026 [1], Biden characterized Trump's political strategy as one rooted in division. He said the former president used these methods to gain power, a process that Biden believes has caused significant damage to the United States [1].
Biden said that social-media platforms played a role in amplifying this divisive rhetoric [1]. He argued that while the strategy of targeting others may have provided short-term political success, it is not a sustainable foundation for governance [1].
"Trump succeeded on fear of the other, but it won’t last forever," Biden said [1].
The political commentator said that the long-term consequences of such rhetoric extend beyond election cycles, affecting the broader fabric of U.S. society [1].
“"Trump succeeded on fear of the other, but it won’t last forever."”
This critique reflects a broader argument that the 'outsider' political model, which relies on identifying internal enemies to galvanize a base, creates systemic instability. By highlighting the role of social media, Biden points to the structural ways in which algorithmic amplification can turn political rhetoric into deep-seated social fragmentation.
