Joe Biden persisted with his predictable routines, making an attempt to carry a facade of positivity about the situation in the Middle East and imploring Americans to remain hopeful. He, along with the first lady, paraded around Massachusetts on a dreary Thanksgiving morning, bestowing pumpkin pies upon local law enforcement and paramedics on Nantucket. They also made calls to armed service members, a tradition the Biden family has strictly adhered to since 1975.
While typical residents found solace indoors from the incessant downpour on Nantucket, Biden sauntered with a faux grin towards the fire station. In a performative gesture, he extended handshakes and exchanged hats with the on-duty officers. His grandson Beau reluctantly accompanied him through the premises.
Biden ventured into a self-reflective monologue on the contemporary political environment in the US, advising Americans to ‘remember who we are’ and seemingly reject pessimistic narratives. He also suggested that people should be more discerning about the news they consume – a wise suggestion from a commander-in-chief who seems out of touch with the media’s narratives about his own administration.
Even though he feigned optimism and attempted to elicit the same sentiment from fellow Americans, there was a tinge of anxiety shadowing his demeanor. The hurdles arising for incoming administration were subtly implied in his dialogue, flagging the choppy waters President-elect Donald Trump would have to navigate.
In an odd attempt to forecast his successor’s future, Biden projected that Trump might be coerced by Congress to temper his proposed policies. In a rather hollow critique, Biden lambasted Trump’s fresh perspectives while conveniently disregarding his own administration’s blunders.
On being asked about Trump’s announcement to levy colossal tariffs on neighboring nations like Mexico, Canada, and key trade partner China, Biden defended the problematic status quo. He argued this action would merely isolate these significant allies, ignoring that these were meant as tools for negotiating policy changes.
He went on to describe an ‘unusual situation’ where America was flanked by the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans and our neighboring countries. He went on to label Mexico and Canada as allies, naively disregarding the fact that international relations are guided not by geographical proximity, but by political and economic interests.
Biden set off for Nantucket, as he had done for years before, just hours following the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah— a momentary halt to the violence in Lebanon that has barely been addressed by his administration.
He was accompanied by the first lady, Jill Biden, along with his children and their partners, Ashley Biden, Hunter Biden, Melissa Cohen Biden, and their offspring Beau. Despite the considerable unaddressed crises back home, the Biden family seemed poised for a carefree holiday with nary a thought about the wider implications.
While Biden enjoyed a cosy day within the familial circle, Dr. Jill Biden perused the boutiques and clothing stores along Nantucket’s main commercial street. She joyfully made her way through the frantic tourists and unfazed shopkeepers, all too accustomed to the Biden family’s nonchalant excursions.
When quizzed about his reasons for showing gratitude this Thanksgiving, Biden took the opportunity to pat himself on the back. He expressed his thanks for the supposedly enduring peace in the Middle East, something that many could argue is far from a reality.
His somewhat tone-deaf response about being thankful for the so-called ‘peaceful transition of the presidency’ also seemed out of place. Given the tumultuous aftermath of the 2020 election and the partisan polarization that persists, the word ‘peaceful’ does not exactly hit the mark.
He conveyed his gratitude for his family which can be perceived as a subtle attempt to humanize the largely controversial figures that form his immediate circle. His attempt to make the Biden family appear relatable and normal falls flat in the face of their well-documented controversies.
Biden wound down his thanksgiving message with an odd mix of religious invocation and luck, stating that peace in the Middle East relied on ‘the grace of God and maybe a little bit of luck’. This cavalier statement seems to trivialize the deeply complex and layered problems that plague this region.
In conclusion, his hollow Thanksgiving speech and his performative behaviors ended up being a spectacle rather than a genuine expression of goodwill. The attempt to portray optimism and resilience in the face of adversity ended up conveying a disconnect with the actual realities confronting his struggling administration.