Staff Reports
In a moment worthy of an Oscar for the “Best Performance by an Incumbent President in a Defensive Role,” Joe Biden found himself on the receiving end of a question that stung like a hornet’s nest. During a recent news conference concerning a ceasefire deal brokered between Israel and Hamas, a reporter had the audacity to inquire who would be credited in the history books for this diplomatic achievement — Biden or Trump. The President, in a fit of humorless candor, seemed less than pleased, responding with a dismissive “Is that a joke?” as he shuffled away from the podium.
It’s hard to argue that the timing of this deal isn’t suspect. After all, Donald Trump’s administration had laid groundwork for peace in the Middle East with initiatives such as the Abraham Accords. Just weeks after Trump’s electoral victory, his newly appointed envoy, Steve Witkoff, was reportedly hitting the negotiation table while the Biden administration spent more than a year floundering. A little bird told the Times of Israel that Witkoff was able to get Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to more in a single meeting than Biden’s team managed to in a year and change. It leaves one to wonder who really deserves the accolades – a Biden or a Trump?
In the Biden camp, Vice President Kamala Harris jumped at the chance to take credit with a statement that seemed to embrace her potential role in the negotiations. She declared the ceasefire was “thanks to the leadership of President Joe Biden” and lovingly sprinkled personal pronouns throughout, ostensibly implying she too was instrumental in achieving this milestone. One can almost picture her at the negotiation table, holding a peace lily and giving orders.
Not to be outdone, Trump took to Truth Social to lap up the attention he believed was rightfully his. His take was straightforward: the ceasefire didn’t just fall from the sky; it was a product of his “historic victory” in November, signaling a return to peace and safety for both Americans and allies alike. The former president made sure to promise that Witkoff would continue his work to prevent Gaza’s reconstitution as a terrorist hub, something that seemed to slip through the cracks during Biden’s current term.
Watch: Biden Bristles When Reporter Questions Whether He or Trump Deserves Credit for Hostage Deal: “Is that a joke?” Biden asked. https://t.co/q4S7EL2ppE pic.twitter.com/SOs0jA4iUp
— The Western Journal (@WestJournalism) January 16, 2025
While Biden’s team may have hurriedly claimed this win as a feather in their cap, the reality remains that this deal is more reflective of the efforts from the prior administration. The undercurrent of irritation Biden displayed is perfectly understandable; after all, it’s not every day a sitting president has to concede that his predecessor might have set the stage for a victory during his own tenure. That kind of reality-check would make anyone thin-skinned.
In the grand game of political chess, this ceasefire isn’t just a move for Biden, but rather a checkmate that highlights the broader failures of his administration. With only a handful of victories to his name, the president’s plans for legacy improvement were badly lit with contrast to the successes of his chief rival. In other words, Biden’s discomfort — and subsequent grumpiness — serves as a reminder that he may need to adjust his strategy or risk being outmaneuvered by a man who is no longer in office but still plays the game better.
