Well, it looks like Joe Biden has fully embraced his post-reelection-loss vibe, and honestly? It’s a spectacle. If Kamala Harris’s loss in 2024 was a bitter pill for Democrats, Biden seems to have washed it down with a cocktail of indifference and unchecked weirdness. At this point, the man is living proof of the political equivalent of a midlife crisis—except he’s decades past midlife.
The latest chapter in Biden’s “What Even Is Dignity?” tour unfolded in Africa this week, where he reportedly fell asleep during a diplomatic meeting. You’d think the president of the United States catching Z’s while on the job might spark a little outrage or at least concern, but here we are. Should we laugh? Cry? Worry about the fact that he’s still technically in charge of the nuclear football? Decisions, decisions.
Biden just fell asleep smack in the middle of a summit with African leaders pic.twitter.com/fs692GkE1A
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) December 4, 2024
If Biden’s handlers still have any control over him, they’re doing an Oscar-worthy job of hiding it. Conventional wisdom would suggest that after the midterm disaster and the humiliation of losing to Donald Trump (again), Team Biden might try to keep their guy out of sight. But nope. Instead, they’re parading him around like a wind-up toy that’s losing battery power, even if it means subjecting him—and the rest of us—to more cringe-worthy moments.
Take Thursday’s National Christmas Tree Lighting, for instance. A chance to smile, wave, and maybe toss out a cheery “Merry Christmas,” right? Not for Joe. He tore off his beanie, mumbled some bizarre remarks at reporters, and unintentionally provided the press with some golden meme material. Seriously, the photos of his windswept hair plugs? Chef’s kiss. It’s like he’s leaning into his lame-duck status so hard he’s turned it into performance art.
As he left the National Christmas Tree lighting, @POTUS removed his stocking cap, bent over to look at the press and then asked “you’re still here?” It was very cold and windy tonight. pic.twitter.com/d2NIXTzdXM
— Andrew Leyden (@PenguinSix) December 6, 2024
But let’s not kid ourselves—this isn’t harmless eccentricity. While Biden plays the role of America’s awkward grandpa who’s totally checked out, the country’s adversaries are watching. Every nap, every incoherent rant, every oddball photo op sends a message: the White House is unmoored. And that’s dangerous. From China eyeing Taiwan to Russia doubling down in Ukraine, this “nothing matters” attitude isn’t just embarrassing; it’s risky.
Of course, Biden’s bizarre behavior is also a big reason the Democrats got walloped in the 2024 election. His pardon of Hunter Biden—a move so shameless it still boggles the mind—was the final nail in the coffin. That decision burned what little credibility he had left, and voters took notice. The result? A Republican resurgence and what feels like poetic justice.
Still, Biden’s apparent descent into full-on “I don’t care anymore” mode is a fascinating cultural moment. It’s like watching a movie where the protagonist realizes they’ve got nothing left to lose and starts doing whatever they want, regardless of how absurd it looks. Only in this case, the stakes are a bit higher than bad hair days and dozing off in public.
So here we are, the world’s most powerful country being led by a man who’s clearly over it. At least January is coming, and with it, a much-needed change of leadership. Until then, all we can do is brace for the next Biden moment because you just know it’s going to be a doozy.
