Despite stepping down amid growing criticism and questions about his leadership, former President Joe Biden says he continues to be a trusted voice for global and political leaders—including several European heads of state—who reach out to him for guidance.
Speaking last week at the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) convention in San Diego, Biden caught the audience off guard by revealing that he remains an informal advisor behind the scenes.
“I’m getting calls—though I can’t go into details—from a number of European leaders asking me to get involved,” Biden shared during a conversation with SHRM President Johnny Taylor, according to the Western Journal. “I’m not stepping in directly, but I’m offering advice. Because things have changed.”
A video clip of the candid moment, posted on X by Democratic strategist Chris Jackson, shows Biden shifting between a quiet, reflective tone and bursts of passionate emphasis as he speaks, offering a glimpse into the ongoing influence he wields beyond the Oval Office.
“Ya know, I often ask myself—rhetorically—if America doesn’t lead the world, then who can?” Biden said, raising his voice with conviction. “No joke. Not because of power, but who else can pull it all together?” He went on to reveal that lawmakers from both parties still turn to him for counsel.
“I’m in touch with a lot of Democrats and Republicans alike,” Biden explained. “They don’t come to me thinking I have all the answers—just to bounce ideas off me.”
Then, in a surprising shift, he added with a chuckle, “I’m also laying rubber with my ’67 Corvette right here on my driveway.”
The remarks quickly drew criticism from opponents, who described them as out-of-touch and symbolic of wider challenges during his presidency.
Throughout Biden’s administration, the U.S. grappled with rising inflation, soaring gas prices, and persistent struggles at the southern border. His tenure concluded amid mounting pressure within his own party, ultimately leading to his decision not to seek re-election.
Biden’s administration was also plagued by a series of controversies, including the impeachment proceedings against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and the highly scrutinized scandal involving his son, Hunter Biden. Further fueling criticism were preemptive pardons granted to figures like Dr. Anthony Fauci and Hunter Biden, sparking debate—especially over the use of autopen signatures.
Adding to the controversy, a recent ICE report exposed serious failures in vetting sponsors for unaccompanied migrant children, some of whom later suffered abuse under their guardianship.
Critics say these scandals cast doubt on Biden’s claims of remaining a trusted advisor to world leaders.
“Considering the chaos, confusion, and credibility challenges that marked the final years of his presidency, the notion that foreign leaders continue to seek his counsel is… ambitious,” one political analyst remarked.
To Biden’s detractors, these remarks are just another chapter in a familiar narrative—a moment where the former president seems to blur the line between legacy and fantasy.