Despite stepping away from the political spotlight amid heavy criticism and mounting challenges during his presidency, former President Joe Biden says he’s still receiving calls from world leaders — including heads of state in Europe — looking to him for guidance.
Speaking at the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) convention in San Diego last week, Biden surprised attendees by revealing that his influence may not have entirely faded since leaving office.
“I’m still getting calls — I won’t go into details, I can’t — from a number of European leaders asking me to weigh in,” Biden said during a conversation with SHRM President Johnny Taylor, according to The Western Journal. “I’m not getting involved, but I am offering advice. Things have changed.”
“Who Can Put It Together?”
A clip of the exchange, posted on X by Democratic strategist Chris Jackson, shows the former president speaking in a measured tone that occasionally builds into moments of emotional emphasis. At one point, Biden posed a rhetorical question:
“You know, I often ask: if America doesn’t lead, who will?” he said, raising his voice. “Not a joke. Not because of power — who else can bring everyone together?”
He also claimed that members of both political parties continue to seek him out for informal input.
“I’m talking to Democrats and Republicans,” Biden said. “They’re not coming to me because I have all the answers — they just want to talk things through.”
Offbeat Remarks Spark Online Reaction
The exchange took an unexpected turn when Biden added, seemingly out of nowhere, “I’m also laying rubber with my ’67 Corvette on my driveway.”
The comment — disjointed from the broader conversation — quickly made the rounds online, adding fuel to criticism about his communication style and perceived cognitive decline.
Critics didn’t hold back. Many pointed to Biden’s tenure as one marked by economic hardship, border instability, and internal party division. Rising inflation, high fuel prices, and the crisis at the southern border all became flashpoints during his administration.
His decision not to seek re-election came after increasing pressure from within the Democratic Party, along with growing public dissatisfaction.
Legacy Under Scrutiny
The Biden administration was no stranger to controversy. The impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, as well as the legal troubles surrounding Biden’s son, Hunter, cast long shadows.
Particularly contentious was the use of presidential pardons — including those reportedly signed via autopen — for figures such as Dr. Anthony Fauci and Hunter Biden himself. That decision drew heavy scrutiny from both sides of the aisle.
A recent ICE report has only added to the criticism, revealing serious failures in vetting sponsors for unaccompanied migrant children, some of whom were later harmed.
Critics Question Biden’s Relevance
Given the turbulence that marked the final years of his presidency, many are skeptical of Biden’s assertion that global leaders continue to seek his counsel.
“Considering the chaos and confusion that defined his administration, it’s a bold claim,” one political analyst remarked. “It raises questions about how the former president sees his role in today’s political landscape — and whether others see it the same way.”
To his critics, Biden’s remarks are emblematic of a familiar pattern: a disconnect between how he views his legacy and how much influence he truly retains.
