President Biden joked about his impending departure from the White House on Wednesday, quipping that he is "looking for a job" amid reports of lingering bitterness toward Democratic leaders who forced him to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race.
President Biden injected a touch of humor into his perceived presidential twilight on Wednesday, joking that he is "looking for a job" as he prepares to exit the White House. The lighthearted remark came during an event at the White House where Biden addressed a group of content creators and social media influencers.
"It's never been this bad before. I don't mean the press, I mean the way we treat each other in politics," Biden lamented, referring to the rampant partisanship plaguing American society. "It's getting incredibly difficult to count the number of lies people hear."
Biden Jests About Post-Presidency Job Search amid Exit Rumors
He continued, "They don't know what to believe. They don't know what to count on, but you break through," he said to the creators. "And that's why I invited you to the White House, because I'm looking for a job."
Biden's jovial quip belies reports of lingering resentment toward top Democrats who pressured him to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. According to sources, Biden is particularly bitter toward former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, former President Barack Obama, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
Biden Jests About Post-Presidency Job Search amid Exit Rumors
Despite these reported tensions, the Democratic Party is preparing a grand farewell for Biden at the DNC in Chicago next week. The very party members who pushed him to drop out now hail him as an elder statesman.
Biden will deliver a major address on the first night of the DNC, following speeches by Hillary Clinton and others. Former Presidents Obama and Bill Clinton will take the stage the following nights, while Vice President Kamala Harris will close the convention on Thursday.
Biden Jests About Post-Presidency Job Search amid Exit Rumors
The schedule for the DNC symbolizes the Democrats' plan to transition from Biden's presidency to Harris's. While Biden's lighthearted joke about his job search may have been just that, it highlights the impending end of an era and the uncertainty that lies ahead for the 80-year-old president.
However, Biden's legacy will undoubtedly be debated for years to come. In a statement issued after his withdrawal announcement, Pelosi praised Biden as "a patriotic American who has always put our country first" and hailed his "vision, values, and leadership."
Biden Jests About Post-Presidency Job Search amid Exit Rumors
Only time will tell what the future holds for President Biden, but his time in the Oval Office is drawing to a close. The DNC in Chicago will serve as a symbolic farewell to the man who has led the nation through a turbulent period.
