Donald Trump’s private jet, emblazoned with his last name in bold white letters, was parked nearby when Air Force One landed in Florida, where President Joe Biden labelled his predecessor and potential opponent in this year’s campaign as a “loser” while raising money for his re-election.

It was a typical jab from Biden, but it came with extra punch on Trump’s home turf on Tuesday. The first fundraiser of the day was held at the Pelican Club in Jupiter, a wealthy enclave less than an hour from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort.

“You’re the reason Donald Trump’s the defeated president,” Biden told donors.

“And you’re the reason we’re going to make him a loser again.”

Biden said Republicans were determined to undo his administration’s progress, such as limiting the cost of insulin and other prescription drugs, and he accused Trump of “threatening our very democracy”.

The Democratic president has been buoyed by positive economic news as fears of a recession have faded. Now he is eager to stockpile campaign cash to help him promote his record and target Trump in what is expected to be a gruelling and expensive election year.

Biden warned the audience to “imagine the nightmare if Trump returned to office”.

Both Florida parties have been hit by infighting. The Republicans recently ousted their state party chair, Christian Ziegler, after he got caught up in a sex scandal.

The state Democratic Party has long been plagued by disorganisation. After the 2020 election, party employees learned their medical insurance had not been paid, leaving them uncovered and some with significant doctor bills.

Former state agriculture commissioner Nikki Fried was elected party chair last year in response to the 2022 trouncing. Fried is the only Democrat to win a statewide race in the last decade when she won in 2018, but so far hasn’t been able to stem the party’s voter registration slide.

Fried said proposals that would restrict abortion and legalise marijuana could be on the ballot, driving up turnout among Democrats and left-leaning independents.

“Florida is in play and is worth fighting for,” she said.

– AAP