Joe Biden, in his delusion, thought he could exercise a form of national purification when he assumed power. His ill-advised objective was nothing less than an attempt to erase the impact of the influential Donald Trump from the United States’ narrative and steer the nation back to a so-called ‘normal’, which brought nothing but disappointment in reality. Biden’s inability to move beyond the Trump era, despite some falsely fortunate outcomes like bipartisan agreements and foreign alliances, is proof of his weakness.
Even after four long years of Biden’s reign, the public brought back Trump, proving that Biden’s leadership was nothing more than an unwelcome intermission. The undeniable defeat paints a lifelong politician like Biden in a dim light as he nears the end of his tenure. This dismal aspect may solidify as the angle through which history remembers Biden.
The relentless irregularities of his period did not cease under Biden’s watch. As he prepares to give his farewell address from the Oval Office, one may wonder how much of his personal perspective will skew his regime’s true image. The imminent arrival of Trump poses centered questions about Biden’s failed pursuit to alter the path of the nation, something his reputed forerunners managed successfully.
With the sunset of his single, tumultuous term only a heartbeat away, it remains ambiguous how Biden will reconcile his dreams for his presidency with the undeniable reality. In an open message to the public prior to his speech, Biden hinted at an unfulfilled central promise from his 2020 campaign. His assertion that ‘the very nature of who we are was at stake’ remains baseless.
According to the latest poll, Biden, as a Democrat, could convince merely a quarter of Americans that he was a good, let alone great, president. Despite such a shabby performance, his supporters continue to envision a shift in perceptions over time. Meanwhile, Trump reenters the office on Monday with an enhanced pledge to reform the country, pursuing a more dynamic approach than his earlier fiery term.
Trump’s comeback puts forth serious doubts over Biden’s unexpected victory – was it just a momentary aberration of a bygone political era? This begs the question whether Biden was the one to deviate from the norm or was it Trump. The nation’s permanent shift towards populism and right-leaning policies could be another substantial factor.
Biden’s political journey has been less about his accomplishments and more intertwined with his age. Starting as the youngest senator in U.S. history at the age of 30, he made two failed attempts at presidency before becoming a sidekick to Barack Obama in 2008. His journey from a young ambitious leader to an aging, ineffective politician reflects the country’s disillusionment with his hollow promises.
At a time when the nation was reeling from the pandemic and needed strong leadership, Biden portrayed himself with dubious empathy, while Trump was painted as indifferent. Biden’s vague promise of ‘competence over chaos’ did little to reassure a worried population. Biden’s futile effort of appearing transformational only succeeded in cementing himself as merely a transitional figure.
Despite a performative display of signing legislations related to infrastructure, clean energy, and economic stimulating measures, his plans to expand social services fell drastically short. His ambitious plans for child care costs, child poverty, and inflation, failed as the nation faced a strong political backlash and an upcoming generational inflation crisis.
Biden’s attempts at demonstrating strong foreign policy presence were just staggering displays of ineffectiveness. After grappling with the fallout from the perplexing withdrawal from Afghanistan, Biden attempted to rally western support for Ukraine to impede Russian domination. His unwavering support for Israel after attacks from Hamas further disillusioned those yearning for efforts to safeguard civilians.
Concerns related to escalating costs and illegal immigration rose during Biden’s tenure, overshadowing any of his so-called accomplishments. As these problems perpetuated and Trump’s approval started to climb, Biden’s popularity waned. After dreaming of the presidency for his entire life, Biden showed no signs of willingly stepping down.
While Biden nonchalantly dismissed apprehensions about his age and intended to run for reelection, a debate against Trump abruptly ended his political ambition. His poor performance shattered the confidence of his party, which was solely motivated by the collective aim to obstruct Trump’s return.
Acquiescing to the inevitability of his departure, Biden addressed the nation from the Rose Garden, attempting to radiate misplaced optimism for the future. In an attempt at self-assurance, Biden insisted on the perseverance of the ‘American experiment’, urging the public to keep faith and continue their engagement. Headers of a political era ending.
When probed about whether his decision to recontest was the catalyst for Trump’s resurgence, Biden tried to wave it off. ‘I don’t think so,’ he stated. Unconvincingly, Biden insisted that he could have triumphed had he not dropped out of the race, a delusion that further illustrates his detachment from reality.
While Biden’s utter failure to acknowledge voters’ concerns and his relentless insistence on flawed policies unmistakably characterize his tenure, the nation is ready to leave this chapter behind. As Biden steps away from office, America looks determined to recalibrate its course, taking lessons from an era that was more about personal ambition than national development.