Staff Reports
President Joe Biden’s Thanksgiving Day remarks while relaxing in Nantucket may have been intended to radiate warmth and gratitude, but for those tuning in, there was no escaping the growing sensation that even the commander-in-chief can’t avoid the cloud of the upcoming Trump administration. While Biden may have indulged in some pumpkin pie deliveries, his comments about the incoming president reveal just how much he’s prepared to acknowledge the force that is Donald Trump, whether he likes it or not.
Joe Biden Shares an Interesting Observation About Trump 2.0 in Thanksgiving Remarks to Reportershttps://t.co/miXezlSRqz
— RedState (@RedState) November 28, 2024
In a typical display of holiday cheer, President Biden and First Lady Jill visited a local fire department to spread goodwill, but the chatter quickly turned to Trump’s ascent and ambitious tariff plans. Biden’s reaction to the president-elect’s proposals was predictably cautious, and he urged Trump to reconsider tariffs on Canada and Mexico, suggesting that such moves could shake the foundation of crucial international relationships. One has to wonder if Biden’s incessant warning was more about concern for his own administration rather than genuine enthusiasm for cooperation. After all, having two neighbors sitting across the table who stack their deals favorably could leave any Democrat feeling a bit uneasy.
Biden’s take on relations with China was equally telling. He waxed optimistic about a “status quo” with Beijing and even mentioned a hotline between him and Xi Jinping, as if a direct line could somehow mitigate the myriad pitfalls of dealing with a regime known for its backhanded diplomacy. His comforting words about Xi’s fear of mistakes might have made for a good bedtime story, but anyone paying attention knows that real-world politics do not operate on fairy tale logic. The underlying message was clear: Trump’s return may be a wild card that could unearth unforeseen challenges, especially regarding foreign affairs.
But amidst the chatter about tariffs and China, it was Biden’s reflections on the transition from his administration to Trump’s that stood out most starkly. While he repeated the refrain about ensuring a “smooth transition,” there was an oddly optimistic tone regarding his predecessor. The president’s remark about Trump’s potential “internal reckoning” hints at some belief that the former president could be ready to shift gears—though whether that’s a tender-hearted wish or a politically strategic hope remained unclarified. Trump has never been one for soul-searching, so to imply that he might engage in such introspection is to suspend belief in traditional Trump behaviors.
This apparent shift in tone could represent a strange acknowledgment from Biden: that regardless of party lines, damage control is necessary. Faced with a Trump 2.0, perhaps the current president understands that the circus of politics requires a balance, even if it threatens his party’s more aggressive rhetoric. And while many leftists may still seek to paint Trump as a monster, Biden’s more conciliatory approach suggests a recognition that Americans thrive on competition—and when it comes to competing, Trump is second to none.
As the holiday season continues and Americans look forward to the new year, Biden’s acknowledgment of Trump’s burgeoning influence may just serve as a reminder: turbulence lies ahead. Perhaps it’s time for Biden and the Democrats to embrace the reality that Trump’s brand of populism isn’t fading away any time soon, and when it comes to leadership, the old adage holds true—if you can’t beat them, you’d better at least learn to get along.
