Joe Biden is mailing in his last few days in office. He simply doesn’t care anymore.
And President Biden just made an appalling statement in response to a devastating tragedy.
Biden Announces Family News Amid Los Angeles Wildfire Update, Ignites Criticism Over Priorities
President Joe Biden used a press briefing on the devastating Los Angeles wildfires as an opportunity to share some personal “good news” with reporters, stating, “I’m a great-grandfather!” The announcement, delivered during a joint appearance with California Governor Gavin Newsom, seemed out of place given the gravity of the situation.
Standing beside Newsom at a firehouse in Santa Monica, Biden abruptly shifted focus to his family milestone while addressing the nation on the multiple wildfires that began raging Tuesday evening.
“The good news is, I’m a great-grandfather as of today,” the 82-year-old president declared. He added, “I’ll remember this day for a lot of reasons,” before leaving the briefing without taking any questions from reporters.
Biden explained that his eldest granddaughter, Naomi Biden Neal, had given birth to “a 10-pound baby girl,” before quickly correcting himself to say “baby boy,” according to the New York Times. The newborn has been named William Brannon Neal, IV, as was confirmed by First Lady Jill Biden in an Instagram post shortly after the president’s remarks.
"They got notifications yesterday that their homes probably burned to the ground…but, the good news is, I'm a great-grandfather as of today."
And, with that, the press briefing with President Biden on the Los Angeles wildfires was concluded. pic.twitter.com/ws5WXXXKMD
— Matthew Keys (@MatthewKeysLive) January 8, 2025
Naomi, the daughter of Hunter Biden and his ex-wife Kathleen Buhle, married Peter Neal in 2022. The couple met in 2018 after being introduced by a “mutual friend,” according to People. While President and First Lady Biden have already met their newest family member, they have yet to meet their youngest granddaughter, Navy Joan Roberts, born in 2018.
Navy, the daughter of Hunter Biden and Lunden Roberts, was the subject of a high-profile paternity suit in 2019. Hunter initially denied paternity, but DNA tests confirmed the relationship. In June 2023, Hunter agreed to pay child support, and the president acknowledged Navy as one of his grandchildren for the first time. However, despite the acknowledgment, the Bidens have not met Navy, and Hunter’s involvement appears limited to financial support.
In a statement, President Biden remarked, “This is not a political issue, it’s a family matter. Jill and I only want what is best for all of our grandchildren, including Navy.”
Critics have taken aim at Biden’s seeming lack of regard for the gravity of the wildfire crisis during his announcement, calling his remarks tone-deaf and emblematic of his broader approach to national challenges. His decision to pivot to personal news rather than addressing the pressing concerns of Americans affected by the wildfires has left many questioning his priorities.
A Pattern of Neglect?
Biden’s comments on the wildfires are not the first instance where critics have accused him of failing to address the needs of the American people adequately. Throughout his presidency, concerns have been raised about his responsiveness to crises, both domestic and international.
During the catastrophic withdrawal from Afghanistan, many Americans were left behind, with Biden offering little in terms of accountability. On the economy, inflation and rising costs have strained millions of households, yet Biden’s administration has been criticized for downplaying these struggles. Similarly, his handling of the border crisis, with record-high crossings and a strained immigration system, has drawn bipartisan frustration.
The president’s apparent detachment during moments of national tragedy, including the recent wildfires, paints a troubling picture of his leadership.
Americans grappling with disaster or financial insecurity are often left feeling unheard, with Biden focusing on personal milestones or policy achievements that resonate little with those in need.
This latest episode — where he announced a family celebration in the midst of a national emergency — has only deepened the narrative of a president seemingly out of touch with the struggles of everyday Americans.
For those impacted by the wildfires and for others watching from across the nation, the moment served as a stark reminder of a leader whose focus has often seemed elsewhere.
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