First Lady Jill Biden defended her husband, President Joe Biden, in an email to campaign donors, expressing her disbelief that someone would use their son’s death for political gain. She emphasized that the grief of losing a child is measured in emotions, not years. This defense came in response to concerns raised by a special counsel about Biden’s age and memory, as well as a report stating that he would not be charged with any criminal activity for possessing classified documents after leaving office. Jill Biden’s email was well-received by supporters and became the best-performing email since the president’s initial campaign launch.
The special counsel, Robert Hur, concluded that President Biden should not face charges for retaining the classified documents. In a hypothetical defense, Hur suggested that the president’s memory was “hazy,” “fuzzy,” and had “significant limitations.” During an interview with investigators, Biden could not recall the exact year of his son Beau’s death. Jill Biden responded to this by stating that Beau’s death is something that never leaves her husband, as it shattered their family and motivated him to serve the country.
Jill Biden’s personal observation about Beau Biden’s death was unusual for a special counsel investigation. Beau Biden passed away in 2015 from a brain tumor, and President Biden often speaks of him, using his death as a reason for not running in 2016 and as motivation for his successful 2020 campaign. The references to Beau in Hur’s report angered President Biden, who questioned the audacity of raising the topic.
Despite concerns about his age, President Biden has proven his capabilities through his work ethic and experience. A poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs found that 77% of U.S. adults believed Biden was too old to be effective for four more years. However, Jill Biden emphasized that her husband’s age is an asset, as he possesses wisdom, empathy, and vision. She stated that he accomplishes more in an hour than most people do in a day.
The email from Jill Biden served as a strong defense of her husband’s abilities and character. It addressed concerns raised by the special counsel’s report, particularly regarding Biden’s memory. Supporters responded positively to the email, and it became the best-performing email since the start of the president’s campaign. Despite criticisms about his age, President Biden’s experience and expertise are seen as valuable assets by his wife and supporters.
