As the Democratic Party finds itself embroiled in its most significant internal turmoil in years, former President Joe Biden’s ongoing postpresidency media blitz has become a lightning rod for deepening frustration.
His recent interviews, including a controversial appearance on ABC’s “The View,” have only amplified growing concerns that Biden’s return to the political spotlight is hindering the party’s recovery after a devastating defeat in the 2024 election.
What many once considered an admirable political career has now become a source of contention, with some of the very party insiders who once stood by him now openly questioning his judgment and leadership.
Chuck Todd, the former host of NBC’s “Meet the Press” and a seasoned political analyst, weighed in on the growing rift during his appearance on NewsNation’s “On Balance.”
Todd, who had once viewed Biden as a staunch ally and a devoted “party man,” no longer holds that belief. In a candid assessment, Todd stated that Biden’s recent actions demonstrate a clear prioritization of personal legacy over the long-term success of the Democratic Party.
“If you’re a party man, you worry about your party before yourself,” Todd said, expressing his belief that Biden’s recent moves have proven otherwise. Todd’s frustration stems from the reality that Biden’s media tour, aimed at defending his record and rejecting accusations of cognitive decline, has only served to reignite divisions and distract from the party’s urgent need for renewal.
“It’s pretty clear the Bidens were always much more focused on themselves than the party,” Todd continued, underscoring his growing disillusionment with the former president’s reluctance to step back when the party needed fresh leadership most.
The frustration is not limited to Todd. Biden’s decision to reenter the political fray and defend his record has drawn sharp criticism from multiple quarters within the Democratic Party.
Many party members, particularly those who suffered the consequences of the 2024 defeat, argue that Biden’s return to public life only reinforces the divisions within the party and perpetuates the very problems that led to its downfall.
While Biden attempted to deflect the blame for the election loss by claiming he only dropped out of the 2024 race to prevent further division within the party, many see this justification as self-serving and indicative of a deeper failure of leadership.
Biden’s refusal to fully own up to his role in the party’s collapse and his insistence on defending decisions that many view as catastrophic have raised alarm bells.
His public appearances, including his defense of his mental state, have done little to quell concerns, and many believe his time in the spotlight has now become more of a hindrance than a help.
Biden’s response to the growing criticisms was dismissive at best. In his “The View” appearance, he denied reports suggesting his mental state had significantly declined, a narrative that has gained traction in recent months due to various tell-all books that paint a picture of a president whose cognitive abilities were slipping in his final years in office.
Biden and his wife, Jill, vehemently rejected these claims, with Jill Biden adding that the authors of the books questioning his mental acuity “were not in the White House with us.”
This defensiveness, however, has only fueled the fire, with many viewing Biden’s refusal to acknowledge the reality of his diminishing capacity as a failure to accept responsibility for the political fallout that followed.
Chuck Todd’s criticism is rooted in a broader concern that Biden’s actions are reflective of a pattern of self-interest that has consistently overshadowed the needs of the party.
“It’s almost like safe to trash the Bidens now,” Todd remarked, expressing frustration that now, when the party is looking for accountability and new leadership, the Bidens continue to dominate the conversation.
He pointed out that this criticism of Biden is not a new phenomenon but something that has been brewing for over a year, especially as it became clear that Biden’s presence in the race was preventing the emergence of a stronger, more dynamic candidate who could have unified the party and presented a clear alternative to the Republicans.
Biden’s defense of his decision to run again in 2024 — that he wanted to avoid further division in the Democratic Party — has been met with skepticism. Critics argue that by remaining in the race for as long as he did, Biden only worsened the divisions within the party and made it harder for the Democratic base to coalesce around a candidate with the energy and vision to move the party forward.
Many within the party now view Biden’s leadership as an obstacle to progress, and some even argue that his continued public presence is a clear sign of a lack of self-awareness and a failure to understand the degree to which his leadership has become a liability.
Despite his defenders, who insist that Biden’s legacy and decades of service still offer value to the country, the political reality is that the former president’s actions are preventing the party from moving past the mistakes of the past.
There are growing calls for Biden to step aside and allow a new generation of leaders to take charge of the party’s future. His continued media presence, rather than helping rebuild the party, is further dividing it.
As Chuck Todd aptly pointed out, the issue now isn’t just about Biden’s cognitive state or his decision-making in the final years of his presidency, but about his inability to let go of the political spotlight and allow the Democratic Party to heal and move forward.
As more Democratic strategists and insiders join the chorus of criticism, the question remains whether Biden will ever fully acknowledge the harm his decisions have caused and make room for new leadership.
The time for self-reflection has long passed, and Biden’s continued insistence on defending his record is now being seen as an anchor dragging the party down. The Democratic Party faces a crucial crossroads, and whether it will break free from the hold of its past — represented by Biden’s lingering influence — remains to be seen.
For many Democrats, the real test will be whether they can finally move on from the shadow of a president whose time in office, though marked by many achievements, ended in a dramatic failure that continues to haunt the party’s future.
