Joe Biden, now 82, has just over 40 days left as President of the United States, but his final weeks in office feel more like an early retirement.
As Biden recedes from the spotlight, his successor, Donald Trump, 78, has taken center stage, leaving many Democrats demoralized and directionless.
Biden’s Quiet Exit
Insiders claim Biden has effectively vacated the Oval Office since the November 5 election. In the weeks following, he has stuck to reading prepared speeches, avoided the press, and contributed little to ongoing debates about the Democrats’ future. Meanwhile, his most recent trip took him to Angola—far removed from pressing global crises like the war in Ukraine or the unfolding conflict in Syria—where he was caught nodding off during a forum.
Trump’s Global Resurgence
In stark contrast, Trump has re-entered the global stage with vigor. He commanded attention during the reopening of Notre Dame in Paris, where he held talks about a potential ceasefire in Ukraine, commented in real-time on the Syrian uprising, and mingled with world leaders. The optics painted him as the man in charge, overshadowing Biden’s low-profile exit.
Frustration Among Democrats
Criticism is mounting within Biden’s own camp. Some are already calling him “the lamest of lame ducks,” a term reserved for presidents in their waning days of relevance. “He’s so indifferent and selfish about how he’s handling these final weeks,” one former advisor fumed to Politico. “There’s no leadership—just a complete vacuum.” The name Joe Biden is now rarely mentioned in Washington’s power corridors, as if Trump were already president again.
A Party Without Direction
The Democratic Party is grappling with a leadership crisis. While Biden performs his minimal duties during the countdown to Trump’s inauguration on January 20, Vice President Kamala Harris, 60, has all but disappeared from the scene. She recently took time off in Hawaii, even as her party fumed over the $1.5 billion spent on a campaign that ended in their worst defeat in decades.
The Democrats’ “annus horribilis” has left them soul-searching. With Biden stepping aside due to his age and Harris unable to rally voters, the party must urgently debate its next steps. Should they adopt a combative stance against Trump, as some in the progressive “Resistance” wing demand, or cooperate with the new administration, as other factions suggested during a meeting of Democratic governors over the weekend?
Biden’s Legacy: Low Approval and a Demoralized Party
Regardless of the infighting, one thing is clear: Joe Biden will leave the Oval Office with some of the lowest approval ratings of his presidency. A mere 37% of Americans recently expressed satisfaction with his performance, underscoring the depth of frustration within his party and the country at large. As Biden fades into the background, Trump is already shaping the narrative of the next administration.
