Staff Reports
President Joe Biden took some time on Wednesday to brush off a busy schedule and remember a tragic chapter in his personal life, as he honored the memory of his late wife, Neilia, and infant daughter, Naomi. It has been 52 years since they lost their lives in a car accident, and though some might say time heals all wounds, Biden seems to cling to this sorrow as a badge of honor, often using it to weave a narrative of empathy that he’s hawked throughout his political career.
In true Biden fashion, the tribute included not just a memorial Mass at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Roman Catholic Church, but also a caravan of family members who gathered around as they commemorated the two lives lost too soon. Accompanied by his current wife, Jill, Hunter Biden, and various other relatives, Biden seemed to be showcasing his family values—while conveniently avoiding some of the scandals surrounding them, of course. It’s hard not to notice how the president’s grief is often part of a political narrative that he wields more skillfully than a seasoned politician.
Biden honors the memory of his first wife and baby daughter who died in a 1972 car crashhttps://t.co/pIzvE04F04 pic.twitter.com/oloIvl1P24
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) December 19, 2024
Biden frequently regales audiences with the heartbreaking details of that tragic day, having conveniently tied it to his campaign trail. Last week, he spoke about the phone call he received from the local fire department, relaying the grim news—a moment that some might argue should stay private. But Biden has made a career out of making his tragedies public relations opportunities, indicating how he persevered through what many would consider a flimsy pretext for continuing on in politics.
As he approaches the end of a nearly 50-year political career, one cannot help but question whether all this emotional storytelling has been a genuine effort at connection or just a savvy strategic move. There is no denying the persistence with which Biden has chased political power, transitioning seamlessly from Senate to Vice President to President—each time awash in the sheen of tragic personal loss. Grief has become one of his calling cards, neatly wrapped in his public persona.
Despite this ongoing narrative, it’s puzzling how the Biden family dynamics unfold behind the scenes, especially considering Biden did remarry and raise a new family while effortlessly tucked away the aforementioned scandals of his sons like a poorly hidden skeleton in the family closet. One could make the argument that there’s a stark contrast between the grief Biden campaigns on and the scrutiny faced by his family in light of Hunter’s affairs. As he relates the story of loss and resilience, many are left piecing together how so much heartache can coexist with such an utterly political family dynamic.
