Even after stepping down amid increasing criticism and doubts about his leadership, former President Joe Biden asserts that he is still being sought after by global and political figures, including heads of state from Europe, for his guidance.
While speaking at the Society for Human Resource Management convention in San Diego last week, Biden surprised the audience by indicating that he continues to serve as an informal advisor behind the scenes.
“I’m getting calls, I’m not going to go into it, I can’t, from a number of European leaders asking me to get engaged,” he mentioned during a discussion with SHRM President Johnny Taylor, according to the Western Journal. “I’m not [getting involved], but I’m giving advice. Because things are different.”
A video clip of the conversation, shared on X by Democratic strategist Chris Jackson, shows Biden speaking in a calm yet sometimes hesitant manner, shifting from a soft tone to a more passionate one mid-sentence.
“Ya know, I often ask the question rhetorically: if America doesn’t lead the world, who can?” Biden stated, raising his voice. “No, no, not a joke. Not because of power. Who can put it together?” He also mentioned that lawmakers from both parties still seek his input.
“I’m dealing with a lot of Democrats and Republican colleagues, all of them wanting to talk,” he said. “Not because they think I have the answer, just to bounce things off me.”
Perhaps the most confusing part was Biden’s transition: “I’m also laying rubber with my ’67 Corvette on my driveway,” he added.
Critics quickly jumped on these comments, labeling them as out-of-touch and representative of what they argue were larger issues during his presidency.
During Biden’s time in office, the U.S. dealt with increasing inflation, high gas prices, and ongoing challenges at the southern border. His time as president concluded with mounting pressure from within the Democratic Party, leading to his choice not to run for re-election.
The administration also encountered several controversies, such as the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and the scandal involving Biden’s son, Hunter. The granting of preemptive pardons to individuals like Dr. Anthony Fauci and Hunter Biden drew additional scrutiny, especially regarding the use of autopen signatures.
A recent ICE report intensified the situation, uncovering failures in vetting sponsors for unaccompanied migrant children, some of whom were later harmed by their caretakers.
Critics argue that all of this makes Biden’s assertions of being a reliable advisor even harder to accept.
“Considering the chaos, confusion, and credibility issues that plagued the last years of his presidency, the notion that foreign leaders are still looking for his guidance is… quite bold,” remarked one political analyst.
To his critics, these remarks follow a familiar trend — yet another instance where the former president confuses legacy with delusion.
