Former Obama Aides Criticize Biden’s Low Profile as Trump Steals the Spotlight: ‘He’s Not President Yet!

Former aides to President Obama have openly criticized Joe Biden for his lack of visibility and leadership during the final months of his presidency. On their podcast Pod Save America, Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, and Tommy Vietor discussed how Biden’s quiet approach is making it feel like President-elect Donald Trump has already taken over.

They noted that Trump has been highly active, making public appearances and policy announcements, such as securing a $100 billion investment from Softbank, a major Japanese firm. Favreau joked that it’s becoming easy to forget Trump isn’t officially president yet, as Biden has largely stayed out of the spotlight.

Lovett added some biting sarcasm, saying that Biden’s respect for tradition and his belief in “one president at a time” seems to have left an opening for Trump to dominate the public narrative. Vietor pointed out that Trump knows how to use events like the Army-Navy football game to present himself as presidential, something Biden never did.

The criticism didn’t stop there. Lovett expressed deep frustration with Biden’s performance over the past year, blaming him for clinging to the presidency despite clear challenges with communication and leadership. He believes Biden has failed to effectively represent progressive values or democracy, which has hurt the Democratic Party and left them vulnerable. Lovett admitted feeling angry for not being more vocal about these issues earlier, especially now that the consequences of Biden’s decisions are becoming clear.

Vietor raised concerns about Biden’s ability to handle the transition behind the scenes. He questioned whether Biden is doing everything possible to prepare the White House for future challenges, suggesting that his absence might reflect a deeper issue with his leadership style.

The aides were especially critical of Biden’s recent pardon of his son Hunter Biden, which they believe damaged the Democratic Party’s credibility. Vietor said this move makes Democrats look hypocritical and plays into Republican claims that the party is corrupt. He worried this fuels a broader public cynicism that all politicians are the same, dishonest, and self-serving.

The group also reflected on a recurring theme they’ve discussed: Biden’s age. They argued that his age has been a noticeable issue throughout his presidency and that the party made a mistake by not finding a stronger candidate earlier. To them, Biden’s lack of energy and public presence in his final months is a glaring problem that underscores their earlier concerns.

Their comments highlight a growing dissatisfaction with Biden’s leadership as Trump continues to dominate headlines and prepare for his return to the White House. The criticism points to larger frustrations within the Democratic Party about missed opportunities and the challenges of managing a presidency during a politically tense time.