Former Jill Biden aide urges the Bidens to stay out of politics following the former president’s speech

The Biden family doesn’t have a place in American politics anymore, according to someone who used to work for them.

Michael LaRosa, who served as former First Lady Jill Biden’s communications director, thinks Jill and former President Joe Biden should stay out of the public eye rather than going after President Donald Trump.

“I love both Bidens dearly, but staff loyalty means there is a responsibility to provide them with an honest situational awareness, especially when it comes to their public image, no matter how hurtful it is to hear,” LaRosa told the Hill.

“If they had advisers who had their hand on the pulse of the Democratic Party or national politics, they would have understood the intense level of anger or indifference to them that remains inside our party and isn’t going away anytime soon,” he added.

The party has been struggling to find its voice and its footing after a solid beating in 2024 where Trump won every swing state and Republicans maintained their majorities in both houses of Congress.

Biden’s time in office ended with a whimper as he bowed out of the presidential race in mid-July following a disastrous debate performance that led many to question his mental acuity. The one-term Democrat also suffered from low approval ratings, including just 40% during the last year of his term, something LaRosa said makes his voice less important now.  

“It’s a heartbreaking and tragic ending to their time in public life, but it’s also the truth, and they should index the political realities into their decision-making,” he said. 

The ex-staffer spoke out after the former president gave a speech in Chicago last week where he attacked the Trump administration. Biden, who is 82, reportedly receives $300,000 per speech.  

Social media users were split on whether the ageing Democrat should remain politically active. 

A conservative user on X posted sarcastically, “I 100% disagree, Biden should stay out there!” 

Meanwhile, a liberal user appreciated the former president speaking out. 

“He’s the only former Democratic leader using his voice to combat Donald Trump,” she wrote. “We want him to be even louder.” 

However, others want Biden to stay retired. 

“Everyone should want him to stay away. He’s done enough damage to this country,” one X user posted. 

Another, who agreed, wrote, “I guess so.  His wife and children are guilty of elder abuse.” 

Iowa Democrat John Norwood thinks Biden hurts the Democratic Party. 

“The best thing Biden can do for 🇺🇸, Iowa and the Democratic Party is to retire gracefully,” he posted. “He’s not helping the brand by reappearing to critique Trump. Others can do that more effectively. He just provides a foil for the President to flog when he does pop up. @DNC.” 

When Biden left office in January 2025, he had a 40% approval rating, with 54% disapproving, according to a Gallup poll.