At his farewell meal at the White House, Joe Biden was overcome with emotion.
When First Lady Jill gave a heartfelt homage to her “husband and hero” that highlighted his decades of public service, the president became emotional, according to Knewz.com.
Vice President Kamala Harris was conspicuously absent from the celebration, despite Biden, 82, crying during the tearful ceremony.
At a meal on the White House’s South Lawn on Friday, November 22, the president and first lady expressed gratitude to Democratic funders and supporters.
Jill praised her husband’s four decades of public service, including his four years as president, throughout her speech.
As Jill spoke to the audience, Biden was seen dabbing at his tears: “What I’ve seen you do for over 40 years is incredible… Joe, your accomplishments over the past four years are astounding.
She raised a glass to celebrate “my husband and hero, Joe Biden” as she wrapped up her remarks.
Then, as she walked off the podium, the two kissed.
When it was Biden’s turn to speak, he started off by making a joke, saying, “Please take a seat if you have one. Avoid diving into the pool.
He went on: “To express our gratitude, Jill and I are throwing this dinner tonight for a very straightforward purpose. To several of my dear pals, thank you.
“We set out on this adventure to define the light in the darkness and save the nation’s soul.
And without you, we couldn’t have accomplished as much as we did, and I couldn’t have reached the point where the White House is today. It’s not hyperbole, either. With all my heart, I mean it.”
Biden referred to being president as the “honor of my lifetime” as he considered his decades of public service as he prepared to turn over the White House to his predecessor, Donald Trump, on January 20, 2025.
He went on to say: “I’ve always thought it’s important to ask ourselves if we left the country in a better state than when we arrived, especially when it comes to public service and the president. Because of you, I can honestly state that the answer to that question is a loud yes.
“I believe we can be proud we’re leavingAmericain a better place today than when we came into office four years ago.”
Biden then talked about the “worst pandemic we’d seen in over 100 years” and the “violent insurrection on January 6” that occurred only weeks before he took office, as well as the situation of the nation that his government inherited almost four years prior.
Biden decided to end his remarks on a positive one, mimicking her concession address, before thanking his wife for supporting him through it all, even though Harris, who lost her run for president to Trump earlier this month, was not there at the event.
“We’ve come a long way since then,” he remarked. However, in my 50 years of public service, I firmly feel that America is in a better position to lead the world now than it was at any other time.
“I had no choice but to adhere to that norm. I am the spouse of Jill Biden. I’m most proud of that title.”
‘Think where man’s splendor most begins and ends, And declare my glory was I had such pals,’ said William Butler Yeats, Biden continued. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
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