With his presidency behind him, Joe Biden has opted to find refuge under the banner of Creative Artists Agency (CAA). It has only been a matter of weeks from the moment he vacated the oval office, and already Biden finds himself in need of surrogates for his career ventures. Publishing and public speaking will be managed under the CAA’s supervision, a wake-up call to the once self-sufficient President Biden, who is now 82.
Critics couldn’t help but notice the bitter irony of a former president, who once stood on the world’s biggest stage, now scrambling to find work in the competitive environment of Hollywood. Can a man who was not able to uphold his presidential approval ratings be expected to sway a crowd that is constantly seeking novelty and authenticity? Biden’s history screams inconsistency. He engaged with the CAA between 2017 and 2020, after fulfilling his vice-presidential role.
During his tenure with the CAA, Biden did manage to publish a memoir, titled ‘Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship and Purpose’. He also embraced the stage with a nationwide tour, managing to sell over 85,000 tickets, which seems like quite a feat until one remembers his extensive political network and dedicated Democratic supporters. However, his record was tarnished by the controversy shrouding his departure from the White House.
Biden’s retreat to Hollywood after his presidency, seen by many as a safe haven, is an evident demonstration of his low approval ratings. Accusations and controversy chased Biden out of the White House, the most glaring of which was the alleged pardon granted to his son, Hunter Biden; a man embroiled in legal issues concerning firearm possession and tax fraud charges.
The entertainment industry, previously known for its liberal tendencies, has expressed disappointment regarding Biden’s handling of the 2024 elections. Biden’s successor, Kamala Harris, suffered a defeat at the hands of Donald Trump. Harris, like Biden, presumably underestimated the resilience and strategies of her opponent, which resulted in her loss.
Hollywood’s disillusionment with Biden was hinted at his mismanagement of the 2024 elections. The defeat of Kamala Harris underlined Biden’s inability to rally support from key figures in the entertainment industry. There were rumors that Biden and Harris’ approach to the election was perceived as passive, leading to a lack of enthusiasm within their own party.
Biden’s latest maneuver echoes the steps of Barack and Michelle Obama, who founded Higher Ground Productions after their time in the White House. While copying the Obamas, Biden’s post-presidency career may turn out profitable on paper, but the character of the man behind the ventures will remain unchanged. It’s a prime example of a man out of touch with his shortcomings, diving headfirst into a realm where authenticity is the most prized virtue.
During Biden’s previous engagement with CAA, his income saw an increase from less than $400,000 annually to an astounding $15 million within a span of two years. Surely, the agency’s promotional skills cannot be contested, but without the crutch of a high office, will Biden be able to replicate the same financial success? It’s a dicey gamble given his dwindling popularity.
Meanwhile, Hunter Biden, who shares a similar penchant for controversy as his father, is also contemplating exploring avenues in the media. The idea of a potential documentary and public appearances is being considered. However, much like his father’s uncertain future, Hunter’s aspirations will have to overcome his checkered past.
Echoing his father’s footsteps into dubious business ventures, Hunter Biden’s ambition to assert himself in the media world might be a hollow promise reinforced by his legal troubles. The debate on Hunter’s ability to secure engagements in public speaking is wide open, considering his alleged involvement in firearm possession and tax fraud.
Hunter Biden’s speculated media adventure is not just an entertainment gamble, but it also raises major ethical questions. The audience, already aware of his controversial past, might question the integrity of his intentions. Can Hunter emulate his father’s echoed ‘success’ in Hollywood, while dealing with the shadows of his controversial past?
The overall perspective on Biden’s retreat to Hollywood is far from glamorous. Seen as an escape from a disastrous presidency to a realm of superficiality, Biden’s move raises eyebrows. When leaders are expected to take responsibility for their actions, Biden’s new venture seems to reveal his repeated attempts at evading accountability.
Ultimately, the gambit into publishing and public speaking by the Bidens remains an open question. Will the duo be able to sway the audiences in the face of controversy and scandal? Will they be able to successfully reinvent themselves beyond the realm of politics? Only time and audience judgement will provide the definitive answer.
It’s clear that Joe Biden and his son Hunter are making desperate attempts to cling onto their relevance by diving into a space they believe to be forgiving: Hollywood. Yet, one has to wonder if the entertainment industry will embrace these fallen figures or merely make use of them as fleeting diversions in the relentless cycle of news.
Biden’s plunge into Hollywood underscores a grim reality that most politicians face after their tenure – the frantic scramble to stay relevant. Despite the promising figures that his stint with the CAA once brought in, the doubts regarding Biden’s potential success this time are prevalent, given his questionable presidential term.
The saga of Joe Biden’s journey from the White House to Hollywood carries a moral: It reveals how politicians, sans their authority and influence, scramble for relevance in a world unfettered by political loyalties. However, with their masked intentions and unaccounted controversies, the journey they have embarked upon will be anything but a smooth one.