Staff Reports
The New York Times, that bastion of liberal thought, has surprised everyone by actually taking a closer look at the Biden administration’s parade of pretenses. Written by Bret Stephens, an article titled “The Biden Presidency: Four Illusions, Four Deceptions” delves into the various ways in which the current administration has pulled the wool over the eyes of the American populace. One might think it would require several volumes to chronicle the myriad of Biden’s misadventures, but Stephens has narrowed it down to just four illusions and four deceptions, making it almost manageable for even the most casual observer.
First up on the illusion list is the assertion that the surge of migrants at the southern border in 2021 was merely a seasonal occurrence. This claim was parroted by President Biden, who seemed convinced that caravans crossing the border were just part of an annual tradition, akin to a whale migration. Yet, reality paints a far bleaker picture, one where the Biden administration’s handling of border security has fully imploded. Not content to stop there, Biden continued the trend by confidently asserting that the Taliban wouldn’t swiftly take over Afghanistan. The former vice president appeared shocked when the mere mention of “peace talks” flew out the window, revealing the sheer blissful ignorance that has characterized his entire foreign policy approach.
And below the headline the details are even worse. @nytimes went from concerns being tied to these misleading videos in late June to saying Biden “has increasingly appeared confused or listless,” for MONTHS, in early July.
Where was NYT in that window?? pic.twitter.com/26Nn5nb6YB
— Drew Holden (@DrewHolden360) January 7, 2025
Then there’s the perennial favorite: inflation. According to this administration, it was nothing more than a temporary bump, like a pothole on a summer road trip. However, as the prices at the pump and grocery store skyrocketed, Americans quickly realized that this was no mere seasonal fluctuation. Add in the crowning illusion of the Democratic ticket: that Biden would be the champion who could outshine Donald Trump in an election. Despite his insistence that he could “beat him again,” one has to wonder if Biden simply believes if he says it long enough, it will somehow become true.
Moving on to the “deceptions,” and it’s a wonder Biden isn’t writing a memoir titled “How to Mislead a Nation in Three Easy Steps.” First, he campaigned with the implicit promise that he was only in it for one term. Yet here he is, seemingly ready to launch into pseudo-candidacy mode for a second term, despite whispers about his age. It’s as if he’s looking in the mirror and seeing a youthful candidate, while the majority of the nation knows the truth—he’s well past his prime.
Moreover, Biden’s assurance that he was both mentally and physically fit to serve has begun to feel like the punchline of a very bad joke—especially considering the numerous gaffes that seem to be part of his daily routine. The icing on this dubious cake is his promise not to pardon his son Hunter if he were convicted, a statement that sounded good in front of cameras but has since fizzled as anyone might have anticipated. To top it all off, Biden recently assured America he wouldn’t be pardoning himself, which would be a hilarious mix of irony and disbelief if it weren’t so emblematic of his administration’s habit of speaking before thinking.
In the end, the much-mocked Biden administration may be nearing its end, and there’s a palpable yearning for some authenticity in leadership. Whether one loves or loathes Trump, it’s hard to deny that his presidency was a colorful pageant of transparency compared to Biden’s hidden agendas. With the potential for a Trump resurgence, Americans can only hope for a much-needed shift away from the illusions and deceptions that have characterized the last several years.
