Former President Joe Biden is bringing in seasoned strategist Chris Meagher to help rebuild his reputation and navigate the ongoing challenges he faces from both President Donald Trump and fellow Democrats, Fox News reports.
Sources confirm that Meagher, a Biden administration veteran, will assist the former president as he re-engages with the public following the first 100 days of Trump’s second term.
Typically, former presidents refrain from criticizing their successors during the first 100 days of a new administration. However, Biden’s decision to publicly step back into the limelight signals his intent to remain relevant in a deeply divided political climate. Biden is scheduled to appear live on The View talk show on Thursday, a segment that was reportedly arranged with Meagher’s assistance.
Earlier this week, Biden made his first media appearance since Trump’s inauguration, sitting down for an interview with the BBC. During the interview, Biden discussed his decision to continue in the 2024 presidential race despite pressure from within his own party. The former president defended his decision to stay in the race, saying:
“I don’t think it would have mattered. It was a hard decision, but I think it was the right decision.”
Biden’s re-emergence into the political sphere comes at a time of heightened tension, particularly within the Democratic Party. Many Democrats are grateful for the accomplishments of Biden’s administration, but they also hold him responsible for the party’s poor showing in last November’s election. Some within the party are calling for new leadership to guide the Democrats forward.
In his BBC interview, Biden also took the opportunity to criticize Trump on several issues, including the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” and the former president’s repeated suggestions that the US should acquire Greenland or make Canada the 51st state.
“What the hell’s going on here? What president ever talks like that? That’s not who we are,” Biden remarked.
Biden’s return to the public eye also comes amid the release of a report from special counsel Robert Hur, who investigated Biden’s handling of classified documents and raised questions about his mental fitness. These issues have fueled further criticism of Biden, particularly concerning his age and fitness to serve another term in office.
Chris Meagher’s hiring is part of Biden’s broader strategy to address these concerns and manage his political future. Meagher, a longtime operative with extensive experience in both political campaigns and the private sector, previously served in various roles during the Biden administration, including as deputy press secretary at the White House and spokesperson for the Department of Defense. Meagher also worked on several high-profile campaigns, including Pete Buttigieg’s 2020 presidential run and the successful re-election campaign of Montana Senator Jon Tester in 2018.
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