They want him away from the public spotlight.
Democrats are reportedly expressing frustration with Joe Biden’s recent media appearances, which they argue only serve to highlight the party’s current challenges and remind voters why Donald Trump gained traction with the electorate.
Biden made his second public interview since leaving office on ABC’s “The View” on Thursday. Viewers noted that he appeared visibly strained and occasionally struggled to complete his thoughts. First Lady Jill Biden joined him later in the segment, at times stepping in to clarify or complete his responses.
Though the program is typically friendly territory for Democrats, the appearance may have backfired. According to Breitbart News, the episode inadvertently underscored the concerns surrounding Biden’s fitness and the direction of the Democratic Party.
Former Biden aide and political strategist Anthony Coley offered a blunt assessment in The Hill:
“Campaigns are about what’s ahead, not what’s behind us. Every time Biden does an interview, it drags us back into a comparison with Trump that doesn’t benefit Democrats. We need compelling, energetic voices who can engage swing voters and motivate our base. Biden just doesn’t fit that role anymore.”
Observers noted that Biden’s performance appeared to lack the energy and clarity that once defined his political career. While critics danced around the issue of his age, it was hard to ignore the contrast between the 82-year-old Biden and the more visibly active Trump.
Ironically, Biden’s own remarks may have spotlighted this contrast even further. In the interview, he criticized Trump’s presidency, calling it “the worst 100 days any president’s ever had,” drawing applause from the audience. However, many pointed out that Trump—though only a few years younger—has been more visible, active, and prolific in his post-election return, having issued numerous executive orders, taken aggressive action on immigration, and remained accessible to the media.
Earlier in the week, Biden also sat down with the BBC and accused Trump of having entertained bizarre territorial ambitions, claiming the former president wanted to take over Canada and Greenland. “What kind of leader says that?” Biden asked rhetorically.
These public appearances come on the heels of several books examining the end of Biden’s presidency, many of which allege he was struggling mentally during his final year in office. Conservative figures like Sean Hannity had already been questioning Biden’s cognitive health during the 2020 campaign.
On “The View,” Biden pushed back on such claims, dismissing the reports as inaccurate and based on secondhand sources. Jill Biden also defended her husband, saying he frequently worked long hours and maintained a strong work ethic even late into the evening.
Biden did accept some responsibility for the Democrats’ poor performance in the 2024 elections, saying, “I was the one in charge, and he won,” referring to Trump’s victory.
Some former allies now suggest Biden should adopt a quieter public presence, similar to the post-presidency approach of Jimmy Carter, rather than continuing to grant interviews.
Others say the problem lies in Biden’s decision to seek re-election at all.
“There’s a real reluctance to admit he never should’ve run again,” one Democratic strategist told The Hill. “Why not just come out and say, ‘Yeah, part of this is on me’?”
