In the final stages of his political career, President Joe Biden seems to be fading into the background, even as tensions rise both domestically and internationally. At 82, Biden’s silence regarding a potential government shutdown over Christmas highlights the growing perception that he holds office but lacks influence. Although still in the world’s most powerful position, Biden has largely stayed out of the public discourse, allowing former President Donald Trump to take the lead in shaping debates, particularly over foreign policy and government funding issues.
Trump’s influence has been apparent, even as Biden remains quiet. Trump recently criticized the government’s budget situation on his social media platform, TruthSocial, saying, “This is a Biden problem to solve!” Meanwhile, Biden made a rare public appearance at a children’s hospital in Washington on Friday, but he avoided addressing the shutdown and instead engaged in a lighthearted moment with a child.
The White House has defended Biden’s decision to remain largely uninvolved in the standoff with Republicans, with Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stating, “They blew it up, and they need to fix it. This is not for the president to fix.”
Biden’s exit from the political spotlight has been further highlighted by his reduced presence following his withdrawal from the 2024 election in June, after a challenging debate against Trump. He handed the Democratic nomination to Vice President Kamala Harris, though some reports suggested that Biden believed he could have outperformed Harris in the race against Trump.
Despite these challenges, the White House insists that Biden is focused on leaving a lasting legacy in his final months. Efforts to secure policies on issues like student loan forgiveness and the economy have been part of his last-ditch attempts to “Trump-proof” his administration. Biden has also made high-profile statements, including supporting a ceasefire in Lebanon and taking credit for the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, even as his administration pushes for a truce in Gaza.
However, some of Biden’s recent public appearances have emphasized his physical and political decline. His speech last week on the economy was marred by frequent coughing, and during a trip to the Amazon, he appeared disoriented and missed a key photo with G20 leaders. In Angola, Biden was seen resting his eyes during a summit, further contributing to concerns about his stamina.
Once known for his verbose political style, Biden has become noticeably quieter, especially on critical issues. He has avoided commenting on whether he still sees Trump as a threat to democracy and has declined to address the controversy surrounding his son Hunter’s legal issues.
Media reports have compounded the perception of Biden’s diminishing role, with the Wall Street Journal revealing that White House officials have limited access to him, shortening meetings and controlling his schedule to manage his public appearances. The narrative of a fading president is becoming more prominent as Biden’s final months in office unfold.
