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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
David Smith in Washington

‘The invisible man’: Joe Biden has disappeared in almost every way – except in Trump’s daily commentary

a man in a suit speaks
Joe Biden speaks in Chicago on 31 July 2025. Photograph: Scott Olson/Getty Images

In bitter cold beneath the US Capitol dome, he walked to a marine helicopter and shared parting words with Donald Trump. Then, arriving at Joint Base Andrews, Joe Biden offered farewell remarks to his loyal staff. “We’re leaving office,” he said, “We’re not leaving the fight.”

But, one year later, Washington, and the world, have mostly moved on from the 46th president. Biden, 83, has been writing a lucrative memoir, planning a presidential library and fighting prostate cancer. He was once the most powerful man on the planet, but now Biden’s public appearances have been scarce and his influence has palpably diminished.

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