Jill Biden Was an Awful First Lady Beyond Concealing Biden's Decline: Self-Interested, Cause-less, and Cowardly
Source: https://www.facebook.com/americanspectator/. "New Left-Wing Book Will Argue Jill Was an Awful First Lady, Beyond Hiding Biden’s Decline | The American Spectator | USA News and Politics." October 23, 2026. spectator.org
The Gist
The author says Jill Biden was a bad first lady for more reasons than covering up her husband's mental decline. Citing a new book from a left-leaning writer, the author argues she had no cause of her own, put protecting Joe above everything, and hid from public criticism over Afghanistan instead of helping military families and Afghan women.
Conclusion
Jill Biden was an awful first lady, not only because she hid her husband's cognitive decline, but because she was a self-interested coward who cared only about herself and Joe and failed to use her position for any cause or for those who needed her.
Premises
- Most modern first ladies adopted a signature cause (Michelle Obama on childhood obesity, Laura Bush on literacy, Melania Trump on 'Be Best'), but Jill Biden never pursued a distinct project despite expectations from the left and her background as a teacher.
- According to Azadeh Moaveni's book, all of Jill's choices (events, travel, projects, interventions, silences) were devoted to 'propping up Joe,' and she merged her public persona with his.
- She staffed her office with loyalist Anthony Bernal, described as 'blunt, domineering, and divisive,' rather than staff who could help her accomplish something substantive.
- During the Afghanistan withdrawal crisis, her staff held an emergency call to shield the First Lady from public anger, canceled Joining Forces events for military families, and she later barred the press from a visit with service members, a break from usual practice.
- Jill stayed silent on the plight of Afghan women despite a precedent of first ladies advocating for them, her own teaching of Afghan students, and her professed championing of education and women, apparently to avoid drawing attention to her husband's failure.
- She did not acknowledge Hunter Biden's out-of-wedlock daughter until the New York Times called out the omission, and then only Joe issued a statement.
Assumptions
- A first lady is obligated to adopt a signature cause and use her platform for public good
- Loyalty to one's spouse that comes at the expense of public duty is a moral failing
- Moaveni's account and anonymous staffer testimony are accurate and fairly represent Jill's motives
- Jill's motives can be inferred as fear and self-interest from the actions described
- A critique from a left-leaning author is especially credible when it aligns with the author's own view
- Protecting the First Lady from criticism is inconsistent with performing the role well
- The absence of a public statement indicates the absence of private concern or action