Biden’s Quiet Departure as Trump Steals the Spotlight

President Joe Biden is preparing to leave the White House with minimal fanfare, as Democrats grapple with a difficult year capped by another loss to President-elect Donald Trump. With Trump dominating headlines well before his second inauguration, Biden’s presidency appears to be fading into the background.

Biden has kept busy with significant initiatives in the waning days of his administration. He embarked on major foreign trips, worked on a ceasefire deal in Gaza, increased aid to Ukraine, and made headlines by commuting the sentences of 37 individuals on federal death row.

He also issued a pardon for his son, Hunter Biden, sparking anger among Democrats who felt blindsided by the decision. Despite these actions, Biden’s public presence has largely been overshadowed by Trump’s high-profile activities.

Trump has monopolized media attention with cabinet announcements, interviews, and press conferences from his Mar-a-Lago estate.

His appearances, including attendance at the Army-Navy game with his controversial Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth, have fueled his image as a president already in action. Many Democrats feel Biden’s absence from critical moments underscores a lack of leadership as his term concludes.

Republicans, too, criticized Biden’s limited interaction with the press. GOP strategist Doug Heye pointed to Biden’s recent trips to Africa and Italy, where media access was reportedly restricted. Meanwhile, Democratic voices, including party lobbyists, have expressed disappointment with Biden’s presidency, seeing it as ending in resignation rather than triumph.

The discontent among Democrats has been palpable. Jon Favreau, former speechwriter for President Obama, noted on his podcast Pod Save America that Biden’s low profile has made Trump’s actions even more prominent.

“Biden seems to be disappearing from the public stage as his term comes to an end,” Favreau remarked, contrasting Biden’s quieter approach with Trump’s commanding media presence.

Some Democrats, however, dismiss Trump’s behavior as a media fixation rather than a substantive issue. A Democratic donor noted that Trump’s meetings with foreign leaders and bold economic announcements, such as a $100 billion investment from SoftBank, aren’t necessarily inappropriate.

But the donor acknowledged that Democrats’ frustration with Biden has grown, particularly after his son’s controversial pardon and the administration’s inability to secure key wins in 2024.

The sentiment of exhaustion and disappointment is widespread among Democrats. Ivan Zapien, a former Democratic National Committee official, described the year as “not fun” for the party, with significant losses in the White House, Senate, and House.

Many Democrats believe Biden should have exited the 2024 race earlier, allowing Vice President Kamala Harris more time to campaign against Trump. Instead, Harris’s short campaign ended in a decisive loss to Trump, further dampening party morale.

Despite the challenges, some advisors believe Biden still has an opportunity to define his legacy in the final days of his presidency. Adam Abrams, a former communications official in the Obama White House, argued that Biden could use the bully pulpit to highlight his achievements and underscore the consistency of his values.

However, with Trump’s transition and the year-end funding battles dominating Capitol Hill, Biden’s ability to reclaim attention remains uncertain.

Ultimately, Biden’s presidency is ending on a subdued note, leaving Democrats to reflect on their losses and prepare for the battles ahead.

While Biden focused on his core priorities until the end, his administration’s quiet departure has left many in his party eager to move on — even as they brace for Trump’s return to power.