Joe Biden’s handlers woke him up from his nap so he could deliver a short speech in Omaha on Friday night for the Democratic Party's "Ben Nelson Gala.” You probably didn’t need to be told this to guess that what unfolded was both predictable and painful to watch. Biden hasn’t had many public speaking events since his humiliating exit from the public sector, but when he does emerge from hiding, once can’t help but wonder why he does this to himself.
The speech itself was nothing special—the usual platitudes and talking points you’d expect. We’ve gotten used to the same tired revisionist history he's been peddling since leaving office. According to Biden, wages soared and inflation plummeted during his presidency. He didn’t claim to cure cancer, but he might as well have because his claims about his record in office were no less false. Clearly, the man is too obsessed with his presidency legacy, spending whatever time he has left on this earth telling anyone willing to listen just how great he thinks he is.
Biden spent much of his speech taking shots at President Trump, accusing him of taking a "wrecking ball" to the White House—how original—the Constitution, and democracy itself. Not exactly breaking new ground here.
The delivery was just as bad as the content. Biden stumbled over his words repeatedly, at one point confusing "president" with "presidency." He slurred through parts of the speech, mixing up words and phrases. There were moments when it genuinely seemed like he didn't understand what he was reading off the teleprompter. The clips circulating online range from awkward to downright embarrassing. When Biden finished his remarks, a hot mic caught someone directing him to "stay on stage."
HOT MIC: Former President Biden told he's going to "stay on stage" after delivering remarks at an event for the Nebraska Democratic Party. pic.twitter.com/SMVwF44Zzj
— Fox News (@FoxNews) November 8, 2025
While his inability to make it through a speech without looking and sounding like he belongs in an assisted living facility was hardly shocking, a large new bandage visible on the back of Biden's head raised some eyebrows. A similar bandage appeared in August, which his team attributed to skin cancer treatment, but no explanation has been offered for this latest one yet. The questions about his health continue to mount, and watching him struggle through speeches like this only amplifies the concern, and undoubtedly detracts from the narrative he’s hoping to perpetuate by speaking to anyone willing to listen him and pretend to give a hoot about what he’s saying.
ICYMI: Do We Have a Deal to End the Shutdown?
Which brings us to the real question: Why is Joe Biden still doing this? He doesn't come off well. The appearances are embarrassing. Yet here he is, traveling to Nebraska to deliver remarks that only reinforce doubts about his fitness.
The answer, it seems, comes down to money. Reports indicate Biden is asking for $300,000 per speaking engagement. Past reporting also suggests he's been struggling to land gigs. The last speaking engagement I recall him doing was delivering the keynote at the Society for Human Resource Management’s convention in San Diego… back in early July.
And that didn’t go so well either.
Talent agencies say the price is too high, and his recent gaffes aren't exactly helping his marketability. One can't help but wonder if he had to beg for this Nebraska booking. He's represented by the Hollywood-based talent agency CAA, but even they can't turn Biden into a hot commodity. Even his presidential memoirs got an embarrassingly low advance.
Biden’s post-presidency was always bound to be messy after how his final years in office unraveled. But this speaking tour feels like something far sadder. It’s the portrait of a man unable to move on—clinging to relevance, chasing money and validation, yet finding neither. The decent thing would be to step back with the last shred of dignity he has. Instead, we’re watching a series of embarrassing public displays that serve no purpose other than to enrich the family members eager to keep cashing in. They’ll keep pushing him out there, even if it means watching him humiliate himself again and again.
