Biden Regrets Pandemic Relief Check Strategy, Criticizes Trump’s Economic Plans, and Warns Against Project 2025

President Joe Biden admitted Tuesday that he made a mistake by not putting his name on the 2021 pandemic relief checks, a move he believes gave Donald Trump a public relations advantage during his presidency. Speaking at the Brookings Institution, Biden reflected on how Trump’s decision to place his name on the 2020 checks had an outsized impact on public perception.

"I signed the American Rescue Plan, the most significant economic recovery package in our history, and also learned something from Donald Trump," Biden said. "He signed checks for people for 7,400 bucks ... and I didn’t. Stupid."

Trump’s choice to include his name on the U.S. Treasury checks marked the first time a president's name appeared on IRS payments. It was seen as a simple but effective branding move that likely helped Trump garner credit from struggling Americans during the COVID-19 crisis.

Biden, by contrast, did not place his name on the relief checks, and he now admits it may have been a missed opportunity to boost public awareness of his administration’s contributions.

Biden's remarks come as he works to solidify his legacy ahead of Trump’s return to the White House next month.

While defending his own economic record, Biden took the opportunity to challenge Trump to maintain the momentum of Democratic policies rather than reverting to what Biden described as the "failed" policies of Trump’s allies.

Biden highlighted key economic achievements under his administration, including the creation of 16 million jobs, record investments in infrastructure, the construction of new factories, and significant funding for renewable energy projects.

But he acknowledged that many Americans remain unconvinced about the economy's health due to the lingering effects of inflation, which spiked in 2022. Rising prices for groceries, gasoline, and housing placed significant pressure on household budgets, overshadowing his administration’s accomplishments.

Polling from AP VoteCast revealed that more than 6 in 10 voters in November’s election described the economy as "poor" or "not so good."

Nearly 70% of these voters supported Trump, paving the way for his victory over Biden. The results highlight a persistent challenge for the Biden administration — convincing the public that the economy is stronger than it feels.

During his speech, Biden argued that Trump would be inheriting "the strongest economy in modern history." He pointed to favorable metrics, including a 4.2% unemployment rate, a decline in inflation without the recession many economists had predicted, and a surge in new business applications to record levels.

"These numbers under my watch are a new set of benchmarks to measure against the next four years," Biden declared. He warned that Trump’s planned tax cuts and tariffs on foreign imports could undo this progress, potentially leading to massive deficits or deep cuts to government spending.

Biden’s warning against tariffs echoed remarks made by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen at The Wall Street Journal’s CEO Council summit. Yellen cautioned that sweeping tariffs, similar to those proposed by Trump, would raise prices for American consumers.

"Almost all economists agree this would raise prices on American consumers," Yellen said, further supporting Biden’s criticism of Trump’s economic approach.

Biden also took aim at "Project 2025," a policy blueprint from the conservative Heritage Foundation that calls for a complete overhaul of the federal government.

While Trump has publicly distanced himself from the initiative, many of its proposals align with his views on immigration, education, and civil rights. The plan, which has been championed by some of Trump’s allies, outlines a sweeping reorganization of federal agencies, reducing their scope and control.

"I pray to God the president-elect throws away Project 2025," Biden said, calling it "an economic disaster."

The Biden administration has characterized the project as an effort to erode the federal government's role in protecting civil rights, regulating the economy, and supporting public education.

With Trump set to return to the White House next month, Biden’s speech serves as a final defense of his presidency’s accomplishments and a warning against potential policy reversals.

His admission about the relief checks revealed a rare moment of public regret, as he acknowledged that branding and perception matter just as much as policy results.

While Trump prepares for his second term, Biden’s message was clear — maintain the economic momentum, avoid tariffs, and abandon the radical changes proposed by Project 2025.