As President Joe Biden approaches the twilight of his presidency, he faces a defining crossroads that will shape his legacy and the public perception of his leadership in the years to come. A storied career spanning decades in public service has culminated in a presidency marked by a tumultuous political climate, global crises, profound domestic challenges, and controversial pardons. As he contemplates his exit from the national stage, Biden's approval ratings have plummeted to historic lows, and his public appearances have become increasingly sparse, prompting questions about his age-related challenges and his ability to connect with the American people.
This moment presents President Biden with a stark choice: retreat into obscurity, cloaked by a veneer of privacy, or embrace his vulnerabilities with candor, transforming them into a platform for advocacy and change. While the first option may seem easier, the second option has the potential to redefine his presidency and provide a deeply personal contribution to society that could resonate far beyond his years in office.
Unfortunately, there is reason to doubt that he will make the bold and selfless choice. President Biden has spent a lifetime in politics, and his legacy is closely tied to a narrative of strength, resilience, and competence. Acknowledging his age-related struggles would mean confronting deeply ingrained societal stigmas and his own internalized fears about appearing weak. While this shift could transform his legacy profoundly, it would require a level of vulnerability and humility that is difficult to expect from a career politician steeped in the norms of projecting confidence and control.
The Struggles of Leadership in a Divided Era
Joe Biden assumed office during one of the most polarized and challenging times in recent American history. The COVID-19 pandemic, economic uncertainty, and political divisions underscored his early tenure. Biden campaigned on promises of healing the nation's divisions, rebuilding trust in government, and ushering in a return to normalcy. However, the realities of governance proved more complex.
From the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan to stalled legislative priorities, his presidency has been marred by moments of perceived indecision and mismanagement. Critics argue that his administration has struggled to deliver on its ambitious promises, while supporters maintain that he has been a steadying presence during turbulent times. Yet, the increasing visibility of his age-related struggles has overshadowed many of his accomplishments.
At 82, Biden is the oldest president in U.S. history, and his age has become a focal point of public and media scrutiny. Moments of verbal slips, slow gait, and limited public appearances have fueled speculation about his cognitive and physical health. In an era of relentless media coverage, these instances have undermined his authority and reinforced a narrative of vulnerability, a narrative his administration has worked hard to downplay or dismiss.
The Cultural Stigma of Aging
Biden's reluctance to openly address his age-related challenges reflects a broader cultural stigma surrounding aging and vulnerability. American society often equates leadership with vigor and vitality, leaving little room for displays of weakness or frailty. This has created a paradox for leaders like Biden, whose lived experience and institutional knowledge are invaluable but whose physical limitations may be perceived as liabilities.
Hiding these struggles, however, perpetuates the stigma and deprives the public of an opportunity to engage in an honest conversation about aging, ability, and leadership. For Biden, acknowledging his challenges could be a transformative act that reframes vulnerability not as a weakness but as a universal experience deserving of empathy and understanding.
However, the stigma that he could help dismantle is also the one most likely to prevent him from taking such a bold step. A lifetime in politics has taught Biden—and many of his peers—that projecting strength is a non-negotiable part of leadership. Changing course and openly embracing his vulnerabilities would require a departure from these deeply ingrained instincts.
The Potential for Redemption
In his remaining years, President Biden has a unique opportunity to shift the narrative surrounding his legacy. By confronting his age-related conditions head-on, he could take on a new role as a spokesperson for aging Americans and those grappling with similar challenges. This would require vulnerability and humility rarely seen in the political arena, but it could resonate profoundly with millions of Americans who face similar struggles in silence.
An apology for hiding his challenges could be the first step toward such a transformation. By openly acknowledging his embarrassment and fear, Biden could dismantle the stigma surrounding aging and encourage others to embrace their vulnerabilities. This act of contrition would humanize him and provide a powerful example of resilience and self-awareness.
As a spokesperson for aging and health advocacy, Biden could lend his platform to issues such as elder care, dementia research, and healthcare reform. His voice could amplify the needs of a rapidly aging population and push for policies addressing the systemic barriers older Americans face. Such advocacy would allow him to leave a lasting impact, transcending his presidency's partisan divides and political struggles.
Ego and the Road Less Traveled
Choosing this path, however, requires setting aside personal ego and confronting the fear of public judgment. It is no small task for a leader who has spent decades projecting strength and authority to embrace vulnerability suddenly. Yet history is replete with examples of leaders who found redemption and purpose in their later years by embracing their flaws and using them as a catalyst for change.
Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and, more recently, Jimmy Carter found ways to transcend their presidencies through acts of humility and service. Carter, in particular, offers a compelling model for Biden. After leaving office with low approval ratings, Carter dedicated himself to humanitarian work, earning global respect and transforming his legacy.
For Biden, the choice is similarly straightforward. He can retreat into the shadows, allowing his presidency to be remembered for its controversies and shortcomings, or seize this moment to redefine his legacy, not as a politician clinging to power, but as a statesman who embraced his humanity to inspire others.
A Legacy of Empathy
Biden's emphasis on empathy and compassion has often framed his presidency. These qualities have been central to his political identity, shaped by personal tragedies and a deep understanding of loss. Leaning into this narrative, Biden could use his platform to foster a national dialogue on aging, health, and the importance of confronting life's challenges with grace and honesty.
This shift would not diminish his accomplishments in office but rather contextualize them within a broader story of resilience and growth. It would also provide a much-needed counterpoint to the culture of perpetual perfectionism that dominates public life, offering a reminder that leadership is not about invincibility but perseverance in the face of adversity.
The Crossroads of Legacy
As Biden stands at this crossroads, his choice is profound yet deceptively simple. Will he continue to shield himself from public scrutiny, allowing his age-related challenges to become a whispered footnote in his legacy? Or will he confront these realities with courage, transforming them into a source of strength and advocacy that defines his final years?
The answer will shape his personal legacy and the broader cultural understanding of aging and leadership in America. By choosing the latter path, Biden can redefine what it means to lead in later life, inspiring millions and leaving an indelible mark on history.
However, I am not optimistic that President Biden will make the right choice. The political culture in which he has lived has not rewarded vulnerability or candor, and the habits of a lifetime are not easily undone. Moreover, the impulse to shield oneself from criticism and maintain an image of control is profoundly human, and there is little evidence to suggest that Biden is prepared to embrace the kind of radical transparency that this moment demands.
Though daunting, the crossroads are clear, and the choice is obvious. For President Biden, this is not just an opportunity to redefine his legacy but to give his final years a purpose that transcends politics and speaks to the heart of the human experience. Yet, the odds of him taking that path seem slim. The nation awaits his decision, but perhaps not with bated breath.
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Sam Goldstein, Ph.D., is an author, test developer, musician, and board-certified Pediatric Neuropsychologist. He resides in Salt Lake City, Utah. www.samgoldstein.com.
