The final weeks of President Joe Biden’s administration have revealed deepening rifts within the Democratic Party, with First Lady Jill Biden reportedly encouraging her husband to settle scores with former allies before leaving office.
According to multiple sources, the First Lady harbors what one insider describes as “misguided resentment” toward Democratic leadership, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Barack Obama, and Vice President Kamala Harris. “Jill views Democrats on Capitol Hill, the [wider] party, the Obamas, staff inside and outside the White House, the media, and all of Washington DC with such misguided resentment that I can’t imagine she [isn’t] encouraging [Joe] to burn the whole thing down, despite his better judgment,” the source stated.
The tension became particularly evident at the recent Kennedy Center Honors, where Nancy Pelosi and her husband Paul were notably relegated to the orchestra section after previously being guests of honor in the presidential box. The seating arrangement marked a stark departure from tradition and highlighted the deteriorating relationship between the Bidens and Pelosi, who had been friends for five decades.
Florida attorney and Democratic mega-donor John Morgan offered insight into the complex dynamics, suggesting Biden’s quick endorsement of Harris after withdrawing from the race may have been an act of retaliation. “[Biden] basically had the palace coup from all directions, from George Clooney to Pelosi. I think he got pissed off [and] said, F*** you, and gave us Harris,” Morgan revealed. He added pointedly, “Pelosi had told her delegation that there would be a convention and a nominating process. And Barack Obama did not endorse [Harris] for five days.”
The White House’s holiday season has reflected this strained atmosphere. Both the President and First Lady were notably absent during the first week of December, when many traditional holiday events are typically held. The President was in Africa while Dr. Biden was in Europe. Some staff parties have been scheduled at unusual times, with the White House staff celebration held at 1 p.m. on a Monday, requiring employees to return to work afterward.
Democratic strategist Lindy Li revealed that Obama and Pelosi had hoped for an open primary rather than what she termed a “coronation” for Harris. The subsequent election loss to Donald Trump has only intensified the internal friction, with a Harris campaign adviser telling the Washington Post, “It’s almost Shakespearean that Biden didn’t just kill his own campaign, he killed hers, too.”
The relationship between the Bidens and their chosen successor has grown increasingly cold following Harris’s election defeat. Sources indicate that President Biden, who genuinely believed Harris could defeat Trump, has struggled to comprehend the campaign’s loss despite its billion-dollar war chest.
Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI), a friend of the President’s, offered a more measured perspective on Biden’s current state of mind: “I think it’s a human emotion. This has been his life and he’s getting ready to transfer to a new phase.”
