There are many words to describe the Joe Biden presidency, and for that matter his epically long political career. One of those words would be “graft.” For much of his term, President Silver Alert was dogged by accusations, investigations, and seeping out truths about his proclivity for Hoovering up cash. As the GOP investigations revealed, this was a family wide practice.
That is why it was with little surprise, as well as a fair degree of derision, that it was announced that barely a fortnight from leaving the White House the departed president had signed with CAA, a Hollywood talent agency. This was the first step to settling into the post-presidential gravy train of corporate speaking gigs. Of course, many wondered just who would be the benefactors doling out the cash for his muttering wisdom?
It is something that has become a traditional retirement windfall, especially for Democrats. Bill Clinton turned his epilogue years into a slush fund-building tour, collecting raves and accolades along with huge paychecks. Barack Obama pegged his fee at $400,000 for the right to repeat his years of bully pulpit lectures. The question became what would Stuttering Joe command on the speaking circuit?
There appears some recognition by his agents that he may not be considered as being as hot of a property for a corporate event. His going rate is set at 25% below that of his former boss, but that $300,000 discounted rate is compromised with his rider demands. Not only will his travel be covered, he is to be provided a private jet. Also, there is a need to compensate the accommodations for five staff members to join him; after all, someone needs to operate the IFD earpiece feeds and to administer the B-vitamin drip bag to get him functional for a 90 minute mid-day appearance.
Yet this is proving to be something of a hard sell. Reports are emerging that Joe’s calendar is not exactly becoming clogged with obligations.
“CAA is having trouble booking gigs, which isn’t surprising,” the tipster said. A second source said they heard people close to Biden floating an even higher desired fee, despite the ex-commander in chief having a history of peddling glaring inaccuracies before his political career came to a crashing end when he delivered incoherent debate remarks that prompted a Democratic mutiny.
Then as the market for Biden’s wisdom was lagging, he came out with a pair of appearances that did not help with creating a demand. He first spoke in Chicago at a conference to attempt a slam at President Trump on social security. He face-planted right out of the gate by not recognizing the intro music was playing, beginning his speech as no one was able to hear.
A confused and lost Joe Biden is already rambling into the microphone over blaring music during his first speech since leaving office: pic.twitter.com/kMcbFiINUr
— TheBlaze (@theblaze) April 15, 2025
His content was no better. He tried to insult the DOGE efforts by saying how much he would like to meet the 300 year olds who are collecting Social Security. And then, remaining completely on brand, he had to trot out some questionable racist commentary.
Uhh.... guys. You're not surprised, but Joe Biden hasn't gotten any better since he left office.
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 15, 2025
"Pulling in. Pul, pul, pulling into the parking lot. And I'd never seen, I'd never seen a- uh, hardly any black people in Scranton at the time. And I was only going on 4th grade." pic.twitter.com/k7IUXFT8bJ
Sure, it's not hard to imagine why few companies are interested in shelling out a small fortune for this doddering figure and his entourage.
Then to bolster the hiring hesitation, he made a more intimate private appearance at Harvard University, at the invitation of former senior advisor Mike Donilon, who is now a fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School, and was no better on display. While he addressed the school’s current battle with Trump over funding cuts, he managed to deliver his trademarked verbal hand grenades. The Harvard Crimson had the details:
His appearance was marked by gaffes of the sort that became political lightning rods during the 2024 presidential race, including mistakenly referring to Ukraine as Iraq while discussing Russia’s invasion before Donilon corrected him. And when Biden bit into an ice cream bar after the talk, the partially melted dessert fell to the floor.
This is a clear display that the errant mental state the world saw displayed last year and led to Biden being removed from the election ticket has not improved since he left office. This is not the least bit surprising, except to his handlers and talent agency.
If anything, it means a company possibly bringing him in to speak might need to spend even more for insurance protection.