Jill Biden’s Busy Campaign Schedule Reportedly ‘Made Joe Look Bad’ Amid 2024 Race Decision, Insiders Say

First Lady Jill Biden’s proactive campaign efforts reportedly drew concerns from President Joe Biden’s team, who feared her busy schedule could overshadow the outgoing president. According to a report by OK! Magazine on Friday, December 20, the First Lady’s team was asked to avoid drawing attention to her packed campaign itinerary to prevent unfavorable comparisons with her husband.

At 82, Joe Biden, the oldest sitting president in U.S. history, has faced criticism over his declining health. Despite a “fiercely loyal” inner circle, many Democrats have expressed concerns about his ability to meet the demands of the presidency. In contrast, Jill Biden, 73, played a prominent role during her husband’s tenure and the 2020 election campaign, often outpacing him in public appearances.

The report reveals that in 2020, Jill Biden’s communications team was warned against highlighting her extensive campaign efforts. Michael LaRosa, the First Lady’s former press secretary, told a reporter that Jill had campaigned in more counties than Joe during the Iowa caucuses. This prompted a reprimand from Anthony Bernal, her chief of staff and deputy campaign manager, who instructed LaRosa to downplay the comparison.

“The more you talk her up, the more you make him look bad,” Bernal reportedly told LaRosa. The president himself was reportedly displeased when comparisons were made between his campaign schedule and those of Jill Biden or then-running mate Kamala Harris.

New York Times correspondent Katie Rogers, in her book American Woman, noted, “Jill was hitting the campaign trail and traveling so much in the weeks before the election that her team was using two private jets. Her schedule far outpaced that of her husband, who was widely criticized by the president (Donald Trump) and others for not holding enough in-person campaign appearances.”

Concerns over Joe Biden’s health have persisted throughout his presidency. Insiders have claimed that his schedule was adjusted to his needs, with meetings scheduled in the afternoon when he was “at his best.” One aide recalled a national security meeting being postponed due to a “bad day” for the president.

Amid mounting doubts about his mental acuity, Joe Biden announced his decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race, endorsing Kamala Harris as his successor. His move reflects a growing acknowledgment of his health challenges and the need for a new Democratic standard-bearer.