Former United States President Joe Biden extended warm Christmas wishes to his followers on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, on Thursday, December 25. His post featured a family photograph with the message, “A peaceful and joyful Christmas Eve filled with love.” However, the holiday sentiment was quickly overshadowed by the unconventional arrangement of the people in the picture, which ignited a flurry of comments online.
An Unconventional Family Portrait
In the Christmas Eve snapshot, the 83-year-old former president is positioned in a notably discreet manner. Joe Biden is mostly obscured, standing at the back of the group with his face partially blocked by former First Lady Jill Biden. This contrasts sharply with traditional family portraits where the patriarch often occupies a central, prominent spot. Here, Biden appears tucked behind his family, with only a portion of his face visible in one corner of the image.
Occupying the front and center positions are his son, Hunter Biden, and Hunter's young daughter, Maisy. They are flanked by Hunter's wife, Melissa Cohen, Biden's daughter Ashley, and two other grandchildren. The visual hierarchy of the photo immediately caught the eye of sharp social media observers.
Social Media Erupts with Observations
The post on X swiftly became a topic of lighthearted discussion, with users humorously dissecting the family dynamics suggested by the photo's composition. A wave of comments flooded in, highlighting the unusual placement of the former leader.
Many users expressed amusement and curiosity, with questions like “Where’s Joe?” and “Why are you in the back, blocked by Jill?” Others noted the expressions, with one commenter stating, “Sorry.... but everyone in that picture looks miserable.” The arrangement led to playful speculation about family roles, with remarks such as “Now we know Jill was calling the shots” and “Hunter is the alpha now.” Some interpreted it as a sign of respect, with a user noting, “I think it’s disrespectful to put the eldest family member in the back of a photo…”
The conversation also drew a contrast between Biden's low-key holiday message and the more combative social media posts often shared by current President Donald Trump.
Biden's Life After the White House
Since departing from the White House in January, Joe Biden has maintained a relatively low public profile. In May, his office revealed a serious health diagnosis: aggressive prostate cancer that had metastasized to his bones. Earlier in December, he made a rare public appearance at an LGBTQ+ event, where he encouraged attendees to stand against the demonization of the community by figures like Trump.
Biden, who remains the oldest person to have served as US President, decided against seeking a second term after Democrats voiced concerns regarding his performance in the debates against Trump last year. This family photo offers a rare, informal glimpse into his private life post-presidency, even as it unexpectedly became a talking point for the public.
