Why Joe Biden's Political Shadow Looms Over Democrats in 2025

When was the last time you thought about Joe Biden? If the answer is “recently,” that’s probably a sign you should consider taking up a hobby or joining a club—anything that doesn’t involve politics.

Since ending his 2024 presidential campaign in July of that year, the former president has maintained a low profile. His decision to seek re-election rather than exit office gracefully damaged both his party and the country. No single choice played a larger role in Donald Trump’s return to power. Yet Biden’s inability to resist the spotlight has brought him back to haunt Democrats.

Last week, he intervened in two primaries, endorsing candidates who had worked on his 2024 campaign and requested his support this year. As Semafor’s David Weigel noted, Biden nostalgia is also influencing other races, particularly California’s gubernatorial primary. There, Xavier Becerra, the state’s former Secretary of Health and Human Services under Biden, regularly highlights his ties to the former president.

Biden’s Post-Presidency Image: A Mixed Reception

Biden left office with an approval rating in the high 30s, battered by post-pandemic inflation and persistent concerns about his age and health. Any post-presidency boost he received stems largely from comparisons to his successor: A Harvard CAPS/Harris poll found 51% of voters believed Trump was performing worse than Biden, compared to 49% who said Trump was doing better.

Yet a Newsweek poll this month revealed only 44% of voters viewed Biden favorably. His unpopularity, however, is beside the point—Trump is now the president. Even if Democrats wanted to revisit 2024, the focus has shifted to the current administration’s policies, which are affecting immigrants, LGBTQ individuals, protesters, judges, journalists, and federal workers. With trade wars and global conflicts escalating, pressing issues demand attention far beyond re-litigating the past.

Biden’s Return: A Lingering Problem for Democrats

The past should remain an afterthought—but Biden’s sudden reemergence cannot be ignored. His presence risks becoming a recurring issue in elections, not just primaries. That’s a broader problem for Democrats, even if his support benefits some candidates.

A year and a half after leaving office, Biden remains deeply unpopular—a reminder of what many voters disliked about the party in 2024. His involvement could undermine key Democratic messages, including the claim that Trump’s policies are driving up everyday costs and the argument that Trump is mentally unfit for office.

The Democrats have no reason to discuss Biden—but if he continues appearing in races, they may have no choice. It’s a conversation they cannot afford to ignore.