President Biden faced backlash from Republican Party leaders after making remarks at a fundraiser this week, where he compared the current GOP to segregationists he served alongside in the 1970s. Biden specifically mentioned former South Carolina senator Strom Thurmond, known for his support of segregation, during the event. His comments sparked outrage from GOP Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, who criticized the president as "desperate" and "underwater in the polls" on social media in response.

During the fundraiser, Biden highlighted his long tenure in the Senate and claimed that while he served with "real racists" like Thurmond, the current Republican Party is even worse in their beliefs and lack of support for basic democratic principles. Johnson condemned Biden's remarks as playing the "race card," referencing the president's previous interactions with Thurmond.

The president's prior relationship with Thurmond was also brought up, noting that Biden had eulogized the former senator following his death more than 15 years ago. Biden had previously claimed to have convinced Thurmond to vote for the Civil Rights Act, despite the significant age gap between them during the legislation's passing in 1964 and Biden's eventual Senate election at 29 years old.

Biden's recent comments have reignited discussions about his past interactions with Thurmond and his efforts related to civil rights, drawing both support and criticism from different political angles. The president's comparison of the current Republican Party to segregationists has intensified tensions between the two parties.