Staff ReportsThe political theater in America just got a surprising plot twist: Joe Biden, the man who thought he was going to grace the Oval Office for another four years, will indeed show up to witness Donald Trump being sworn in as the 47th President. This marks the end of the Biden era, an exclamation point on a presidency riddled with missed opportunities to address the concerns of everyday Americans. With CBS reporting on this unlikely realization of tradition, the question arises: what’s the motive behind Biden’s attendance?
One theory is that Biden is trying to play the “bigger man” card, unlike Trump, who infamously opted out of attending Biden’s inauguration back in 2021. Trump’s absence at that ceremony makes Biden’s decision all the more interesting, especially considering the shadow of the January 6 events still looms over the capital. While Biden might think he’s demonstrating class, one can’t help but wonder if it’s more about underplaying his own failures and showcasing how he’s willing to “do the right thing,” whatever that may mean in Biden-speak.
Biden will attend Trump's inauguration in January, White House says https://t.co/zEhnTfERru via @CBSPolitics
— Marty (@WrestlingMarty) November 27, 2024
Then there’s the delicious possibility that Biden is looking to throw a little shade at Kamala Harris. There’s no love lost there, especially considering Harris played a key role in the Democrat establishment’s crafty maneuvering to oust Biden when he was hanging on by the thread of public opinion. Watching Biden hand over the keys to the kingdom to Trump could very well be a moment of pure agony for Harris—after all, he’s infringing on HER potential power play. This would serve as a reminder that what goes around, comes around—don’t mess with the former VP!
White House Press Secretary, Andrew Bates, made the official announcement aboard Air Force One, confirming that the Bidens would honor this tradition. It’s a bit of poetic justice, considering Biden’s initial plans hinged on the assumption that he’d be holding onto that presidential office a little longer. The picture of a defeated Biden watching Trump take the oath feels almost cinematic—an aging leader who thought he would outlast his rival is now reduced to a mere spectator in this unfolding drama.
Perhaps the biggest irony lies in Biden’s supposed commitment to “democratic values”—the same values that many believe were tossed out the window during the last election cycle. Democrats had no problem shuffling Joe aside after realizing he was a sinking ship, and they chose Kamala not based on the will of the people but rather on their own Machiavellian strategy. If anyone should be seething at this spectacle, it’s Biden, who was tossed to the curb while Harris stepped into the limelight as the chosen one.
Despite the mess of betrayals and public displays of discontent, Biden is taking the high road. One could argue that there is a certain level of respect in acknowledging a legitimate transfer of power, even if it stings. After all, this saga has given the bitter taste of irony and a reminder that in politics, the game is as much about perception as it is about power. So here’s to watching the curtain fall on Biden’s administration—and the spectacle of him anticipating the arrival of Trump amidst the chaos that his own party has stirred.
