Donald Trump’s assertive post-election actions and the bold moves of his transition team are creating an unprecedented dynamic in American politics, leaving the country with what feels like a “two-headed presidency,” according to a new report from Axios. Although Joe Biden remains in office, almost no one has thought about him as president since Election Day, and his influence is visibly waning as Trump’s agenda dominates the spotlight, even before his official return to the White House.
Trump’s transition team has wasted no time projecting a narrative of success, issuing a statement on Monday titled “Promises Kept,” which touted achievements in border security, diplomacy, economic growth, and the rollback of diversity initiatives — all ahead of his formal inauguration.
Axios writes that three topics have overshadowed Biden’s final weeks in office.
1. Borders: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau rushed to Mar-a-Lago this weekend after Trump threatened 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico in response to migrants and fentanyl crossing into the U.S.
2. Foreign policy: Even as Biden officials have worked feverishly to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, incoming national security adviser Mike Waltz credited Trump with bringing them to the table.
3. Economy: Trump loves nothing more than to take credit for a booming stock market, and there are plenty of indications his business-friendly agenda is preemptively powering record highs — especially in crypto.
But Wall Street has been defying gravity for years now, and Trump is fortunate to be inheriting a remarkably strong economy from Biden — just as he inherited a strong economy from Barack Obama in 2017.
The contrast between Biden’s subdued presence and Trump’s assertive reentry underscores the shifting power dynamic occurring in Washington. Outside of his controversial pardon granted to his son, Joe Biden has largely stayed out of the domestic spotlight, instead focusing on foreign policy in his final weeks.
Earlier in the week, the president visited Angola, marking the first trip by an American president to sub-Saharan Africa since 2015. In a speech, Biden acknowledged the political transition, joking about his remaining time in office as his “final weeks.”
Biden has mostly made the news for the wrong reasons this week. First, during his Angola trip, the president appeared to fall asleep during one of his meetings. Secondly, after returning, Biden appeared haggard and out of it during the lighting of the National Christmas Tree.
As he left the National Christmas Tree lighting, @POTUS removed his stocking cap, bent over to look at the press and then asked “you’re still here?” It was very cold and windy tonight. pic.twitter.com/d2NIXTzdXM
— Andrew Leyden (@PenguinSix) December 6, 2024
According to rumors, Biden is considering pardons for his staff, including Anthony Fauci and Mark Milley, despite neither of them being charged of crimes.
