At the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) convention in San Diego on Wednesday, former President Joe Biden delivered what was billed as a keynote address. According to The Wall Street Journal, it was a “rare” public appearance—a characterization that was both accurate and telling. Biden, once a constant presence in the national spotlight, is now making few public appearances, and when he does, they often raise more questions than they answer.
The decision to invite him—and reportedly negotiate a speaking fee of $300,000—already sparked quiet murmurs. It’s not just the price tag; it’s the value. A president whose administration oversaw a chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal, unchecked inflation, and an increasingly fractured foreign policy record is not exactly in demand among professional audiences looking for clarity, insight, or leadership.
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
When Biden took the stage, his remarks were, as expected, a meandering mix of anecdotes, half-finished thoughts, and puzzling claims. At one point, he said he was busy working on a memoir that a publisher had apparently requested “in March of this year”—a baffling statement given that Biden left office in January and publishing timelines do not operate on two-month turnarounds. Whether it was a slip or a fabrication, it underscored the central issue with Biden’s public presence: the coherence isn’t there.
He lamented that much of what he had accomplished had been reversed. This, too, begged clarification. What exactly was he referring to? He claimed NATO was in “shambles” before his term and credited himself with rebuilding it and confronting the Russian invasion of Ukraine. That narrative ignores critical context. It was, in fact, President Trump who pressured NATO allies to increase defense spending, enforcing long-ignored obligations. Biden, by contrast, oversaw a foreign policy reset that included lifting sanctions on Nord Stream 2 and projecting uncertainty—moves that arguably emboldened Russian aggression.
He’s received calls from Margaret Thatcher, Winston Churchill, Jacques Chirac, and Queen Elizabeth the Second.
— Liekitisn’t (@liekitisnot) July 3, 2025
Then there was the claim that he was fielding calls from European leaders asking him to “get engaged.” It was vague, unverifiable, and delivered without specifics. “I can’t go into them,” Biden said, before trailing into another generality. The moderator’s quip—“World peace? That’s nice to do in retirement”—only added to the surreal quality of the exchange.
Biden also claimed to be a frequent sounding board for both Democrats and Republicans. Again, no names. No details. Just assertions. For someone who struggled to find bipartisan traction even within his own administration, the idea that Republican lawmakers are regularly “bouncing ideas” off Biden strains credibility. His history of embellishment is long documented—this moment merely extended the record.
The phone calls from “European leaders” are coming from inside his house. pic.twitter.com/G5Oh4NK6rI
— Robert D. Miranda (@bmiranda24) July 3, 2025
Perhaps the most eyebrow-raising moment came when Biden insisted, “Every single day, I contact every single one of my grandchildren.” It was a striking remark, given his refusal during his presidency to acknowledge his seventh grandchild, Navy Joan Roberts, the daughter of Hunter Biden and Lunden Roberts. The contradiction is impossible to ignore and speaks to a pattern of selective truth-telling.
