Where is Joe?
Jon Favreau, host of the liberal podcast Pod Save America, recently commented on what he perceives as President Joe Biden’s growing absence from the public stage. During a recent episode of his podcast, Favreau observed that as Trump nears his return to the White House, Biden seems to be fading from the spotlight, even though his term is not yet over.
Favreau pointed to an event earlier this week where President-elect Donald Trump made a major announcement at Mar-a-Lago, unveiling a $100 billion investment from SoftBank in American artificial intelligence (AI) projects. The announcement was framed by Trump as part of his ongoing commitment to American innovation, and Favreau couldn’t help but draw a comparison. “What an American story,” Favreau remarked, noting how the announcement felt like a typical presidential policy launch, even though Trump isn’t in office yet. He added that Biden’s diminishing presence on the national stage made it harder to remember who was actually sitting in the White House.
This growing concern among Democrats about Biden’s visibility and leadership has become more pronounced as Trump’s momentum builds in the race for 2024. Many on the left are openly questioning whether Biden’s decision to run for a second term was a mistake. Some argue that his inability to address key issues, such as inflation, and his perceived unpopularity are contributing to the party’s struggles.
In earlier comments on Pod Save America, Favreau also criticized Biden’s handling of the economy, describing it as a “catastrophic mistake” for his reelection bid. Democrats who had once praised Biden’s economic policies now seem to be reconsidering his chances for a second term.
As we approach the final stretch of Biden’s presidency, with Trump’s inauguration set for January 20, 2025, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the 2024 election will be a battle for the future direction of the country—one that many Democrats worry Biden may no longer be equipped to win.
