Joe Biden says he’s still getting calls from world leaders, even after stepping down from the presidency. According to him, some European heads of state are reaching out behind the scenes.
He made the comments while speaking at a human resources convention in San Diego. Biden said: “I’m getting calls, I’m not going to go into it, I can’t, from a number of European leaders asking me to get engaged. I’m not [getting involved], but I’m giving advice. Because things are different.”
The moment was captured on video and posted online, showing Biden switching from calm to emotional in the same sentence. At one point he asked: “Ya know, I often ask the question rhetorically: if America doesn’t lead the world, who can? No, no, not a joke. Not because of power. Who can put it together?”
He also said lawmakers from both sides are still reaching out. He said: “I’m dealing with a lot of Democrats and Republican colleagues, all of them wanting to talk. Not because they think I have the answer, just to bounce things off me.”
Then things took an odd turn when Biden added: “I’m also laying rubber with my ’67 Corvette on my driveway.”
Critics jumped on that quickly and said the comments showed how disconnected he is. They pointed to problems from his presidency like inflation, gas prices, and the ongoing border issues.
📺 And now, your moment of zen. Some Q&A with @JoeBiden from today's #SHRM25 conference in San Diego. pic.twitter.com/AGtN47aau9
— Chris D. Jackson (@ChrisDJackson) July 2, 2025
Toward the end of his time in office, he also faced pressure from inside the Democratic Party and chose not to run again. Several controversies added to the heat, including the impeachment of Alejandro Mayorkas and the scandal involving Hunter Biden.
There was also backlash over preemptive pardons, including for Fauci and Hunter, with concerns about the use of autopen signatures. A report from ICE raised more questions after it revealed failures in vetting sponsors for migrant children, some of whom were harmed.
With all of that in the rearview, not everyone is buying Biden’s claim that he’s still in demand. One analyst summed it up by saying: “Given the chaos, confusion, and credibility issues that dogged the final years of his presidency, the idea that foreign leaders are still seeking his wisdom is… bold.”
