First Lady Jill Biden expressed shock on Monday night that a strong majority of Republicans — 80 percent — still support former President Donald Trump after his federal indictment.
Mrs. Biden was speaking to a group of high–roller Democratic donors at the Upper East Side home of real estate tycoon Barry Ginsburg and his wife Merle in Manhattan. She described the upcoming 2024 presidential election as a stark choice between the “strong, steady leadership” of Joe Biden and the “chaos and corruption, hatred and division” of “MAGA Republicans.” But she professed confusion over why Trump maintained such high Republican support despite his indictment.
“They don’t care about the indictment. So that’s a little shocking, I think,” she said. “We know what’s in store with the MAGA Republicans. We just know it, right? We know because we’ve lived it. We’ve seen it. We know what it’s like to see U.S. policy tweeted out in late–night tweet–storms.”
The First Lady then warned that Democrats must not “go back to those dark days” of Trump’s presidency, implying that Biden was the more reliable candidate. But many Americans disagree, citing the Biden administration’s immigration crisis as evidence of their own chaotic and corrupt policies. Numerous reports show that Joe Biden and his son Hunter were involved in a range of potentially unethical and possibly illegal business deals in China, Ukraine, and elsewhere.
Nevertheless, Democratic consultants and pollsters believe that Americans see Mrs. Biden as someone they can relate to — think your favorite teacher.
“Everybody who meets this woman loves her,” said Steve Westly, a Bay Area venture capitalist who helped raise large sums of money for Biden. “She just exudes that.”
Though Mrs. Biden is widely viewed as one of her husband’s greatest assets, many question her motives; particularly her push for Joe to run for reelection after a strong majority of both Americans and Democrats want him to step aside.
This brings us back to the question of Mrs. Biden’s genuine motivations. Is she really the “sunniest, kindest person you’ll ever meet,” as Westly says? Or is she too opportunistic to allow a bad situation — namely her husband’s failing mental and physical health — the chance to make history as the first wife of a sitting president to run for office?
One thing is certain: whatever Jill Biden’s motivations, her hands appear to be on the wheel — and Americans should brace for more drama and upheaval in the months and years to come.