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Joe Biden's Trumpian Swan Song

Joe Biden's Trumpian Swan Song

His 28th-Amendment trick is a sad, fitting transition

Andy Smarick's avatar
Andy Smarick
Jan 19, 2025
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Joe Biden's Trumpian Swan Song
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“I play to people's fantasies. People may not always think big themselves, but they can still get very excited by those who do. That's why a little hyperbole never hurts. People want to believe that something is the biggest and the greatest and the most spectacular. I call it truthful hyperbole. It's an innocent form of exaggeration, and a very effective form of promotion."

—Donald Trump, Art of the Deal

Smoothing the Transition

When Joe Biden took office on January 20, 2021, so many Americans, including lots of Republicans, breathed a sigh of relief. “He might not be my ideal president,” much of the nation thought, “but at least he’ll be honest and responsible. At least he’ll stand up for our institutions and proper American governing.”

But—disappointingly, maddeningly—that’s not what we got.

His dishonest game on the purported 28th Amendment is a sad and sadly fitting end to his presidency.

But maybe it was the prefect way to transition to the new administration: Biden’s trick was Trumpian.

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