Staff Reports
Joe Biden’s tenure in the White House has been a series of forgettable moments, but few have been as comically telling as his recent no-show for a group photo at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro. As world leaders gathered for their snapshot on the global stage, Biden managed to be decidedly absent, yet again. It’s as if he’s trying to set a world record for the most photogenic leaders while he plays Hide and Seek behind a palm tree.
As the entire assembly of dignitaries lined up for the picture, a pool reporter could be heard lamenting about waiting for the President to show up. Meanwhile, in the background, the awkward reality set in as they eventually snapped the photo without him. The scene was pure comedy gold as one journalist remarked in disbelief at Biden’s choice of hiding behind a palm tree, suggesting that his exit from the political sphere is as absent-minded as much of his presidency.
#BREAKING
Biden experienced loneliness at the G20 summit, as many leaders avoided him following his election defeat. He was notably absent from the group photo, with a theory suggesting he got lost nearby, but the other leaders chose not to wait and took the picture without him. pic.twitter.com/XWlGVpBtad— 𝐋!𝐥𝐲 🕊 (@LilyZ008) November 20, 2024
Adding insult to injury, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who was not exactly on the Christmas card list for American leadership, seamlessly slipped into the top row for the photo while Biden held a permanent spot as the missed opportunity. The White House’s attempt to downplay this snub, claiming it was simply an issue of “timing,” underscores an administration increasingly uninterested in maintaining any form of international prestige.
Biden’s lack of presence wasn’t just a slip; it mirrored his entire approach to leadership—perennially late and often missing in action. This behavior was put on full display once again when he arrived late to the APEC conference in Peru just days prior. The President’s pattern of ducking questions from the media during his travels only further emphasizes the point: he seems to be running away from the very responsibilities that come with the job.
It appears that the only thing Biden is consistently good at is being absent. From his evasiveness with the press to missing significant global events, it paints a portrait of a leader who is far more interested in finding a shady spot under a palm tree than engaging with the world. As he prepares to exit the political stage, his legacy will likely be defined by the echoes of absent leaders and unseen opportunities. It’s a fitting close for someone whose presidency has often felt less like leadership and more like an extended vacation.
