Joe Biden returns to bask in 'thank you' event from South Carolina Democrats

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Joe Biden made a rare public appearance on Friday in South Carolina, basking in the appreciation of Democrats who resuscitated his presidential campaign six years ago. Although Biden faces scorn in many corners for his failed attempt at a second term that preceded Donald Trump's return to the White House, the audience here welcomed him as a political hero.

"Thank you,” Biden said to cheers as Rep. Jim Clyburn, his longtime political ally, welcomed him to a stage set up in an art museum in downtown Columbia. “It's good to be back home."

Biden swiped at Trump in his remarks, suggesting he may tamper with the fall's midterm campaigns. Biden accused Trump of “trying to steal the election, because he knows he can’t win your vote.”

“Mark my words,” Biden added. “I hope I’m wrong.”

The gathering on a rainy night hosted by the state Democratic Party was intended to commemorate the sixth anniversary of Biden’s pivotal primary win in the state. Biden's bid for the presidential nomination was faltering until the victory catapulted him to the front of the field.

Since leaving office, Biden has largely stepped away from the public eye. His appearance in South Carolina was also a balm after a difficult stretch for Biden. Trump has rolled back many of Biden’s policies, and the 83-year-old former president announced in May he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, which had spread to his bone. In October, a spokesperson said the former president had been receiving radiation and hormone therapy.

Biden has referred to South Carolina as a second home state after his native Delaware. He has long vacationed with his family on Kiawah Island, near Charleston. He also spent time there after his son Beau died of cancer.

“Folks, when it mattered, you were there for me,” Biden said Friday. “You believed in me ... and I believed in you, too.”

As a U.S. senator, he developed deep relationships with both of the state’s long-serving senators, Republican Strom Thurmond and Democrat Fritz Hollings, delivering eulogies for both men at South Carolina services.

In January 2025, Biden spent his final full day in office in Charleston, where he urged Americans to “keep the faith in a better day to come” as Trump prepared to return to the White House.

But perhaps the most powerful relationship has been between Biden and Clyburn, whose endorsement just ahead of South Carolina's 2020 primary appeared to serve as a long-awaited signal to the Black voters who are foundational for the state's Democratic Party.

“My buddy Jim Clyburn, you brought me back!” he said.

Clyburn introduced Biden on Friday, and suggested he had no second thoughts about his endorsement.

“There is no American ever who has demonstrated through his service more substance and, I might add, sustenance, than Joe Robinette Biden Jr.," he said.

Biden tapped South Carolina for notable roles during his presidency. He urged Democrats to make South Carolina to first primary state, shaking up the party's nominating process, and he made Jaime Harrison, a native of Orangeburg, leader of the Democratic National Committee.

Now South Carolina Democrats are at a political crossroads. The national party is reconsidering its primary calendar, which could undercut the state's influence.

Christale Spain, chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party, defended the state's role. By boosting Biden in 2020, she said, it helped defeat Trump.

“South Carolina did what South Carolina does best,” Spain said. “We made the difference.”

Biden draw laughter from the party faithful as he jabbed at Trump.

“Did you see Trump give the State of the Union the other night?” he asked, referring to the Tuesday night speech that became the longest ever delivered. “He still talking?”

Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://x.com/MegKinnardAP

President Joe Biden is greeted by passengers awaiting an outgoing flight and poses for selfies, after his flight arrived, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026 in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Meg Kinnard)

Former President Joe Biden embraces Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., before speaking to the South Carolina Democratic Party on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley)

Former President Joe Biden speaks to the South Carolina Democratic Party on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley)

Former President Joe Biden interacts with the crowd after speaking to the South Carolina Democratic Party on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Pierre-Luc Dubois had two goals and an assist to lift the Washington Capitals to a 3-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday night.

All three of Washington's goals came in the second period, with Jakob Chychrun adding his 22nd of the season. Braeden Bowman and Tomas Hertl scored in the third for the Golden Knights.

The Capitals pulled within two points of the New York Islanders for third place in the Metropolitan Division and within two of Boston for the Eastern Conference's second wild card. Washington is 2-0 since the Olympic break and has won six of its last seven.

The Pacific Division-leading Golden Knights had a three-game winning streak snapped despite the return of five Olympians. Vegas was without two Americans (Jack Eichel and Noah Hanifin) and three Canadians (Mark Stone, Mitch Marner and Shea Theodore) in Wednesday's win over Los Angeles. All were back on the ice Friday.

The Golden Knights scored five third-period goals in that 6-4 victory over the Kings and they nearly pulled off a big comeback at Washington. Bowman broke up Logan Thompson’s shutout bid early in the third, and Hertl's power-play goal made it 3-2 with 10:45 still to play, but that was as close as Vegas could come.

Stone was called for high-sticking with 4:24 left, but Thompson still had to come up big on short-handed chances by Brayden McNabb and Marner.

Dubois beat Akira Schmid high to the blocker side 49 seconds into the second to open the scoring. Just over 2 1/2 minutes later, Aliaksei Protas found Dubois in front with a nice pass for a 2-0 lead.

Chychrun's shot from the right circle sneaked under the crossbar to make it 3-0.

The line of Dubois, Protas and Tom Wilson was on the ice for all three of Washington's goals, along with defenseman Rasmus Sandin. Protas and Sandin had two assists each.

Dubois had no points in his first six games this season and had surgery for injuries to his abdominal and adductor muscles. He has three goals and two assists in three games since returning.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Akira Schmid looks for the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Vegas Golden Knights right wing Reilly Smith (19) shoots the puck past Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Washington Capitals defenseman Jakob Chychrun (6) celebrates his goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Vegas Golden Knights, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson (48) watches the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Vegas Golden Knights, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Washington Capitals left wing Pierre-Luc Dubois (80) celebrates his second goal of the game during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Vegas Golden Knights, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)