Anthony Bernal: Growing influence of Jill Biden's 'work husband' amid bullying and harassment allegations

WASHINGTON, DC: After last week's catastrophic CNN debate, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden embarked on a series of public appearances to mitigate the inevitable backlash.

These efforts seemed aimed at glossing over the debacle and maintaining a positive public image.

Revealing interaction at Atlanta Waffle House

The Bidens began with a visit to a debate viewing party hosted by ardent Biden loyalists. This was swiftly followed by a midnight stop at an Atlanta Waffle House. The President, still appearing stunned from his broadcasted humiliation, greeted diners who awkwardly remained seated. Jill Biden approached the counter with a playful demeanor, announcing, "Order for Biden."

Despite her attempts to maintain a positive facade, subsequent events revealed underlying anxiety.

A reporter who had made their way into the Waffle House alongside TV crews asked President Biden how he thought he had performed in the debate with former President Donald Trump. Biden responded, "I think we did well," but struggled to maintain a smile as follow-up questions about his competency persisted.

During this interaction, there was a subtle yet significant moment: Jill Biden glanced at a man in a beige suit jacket, who responded with a concerned expression. This man was Anthony Bernal, Jill Biden's senior adviser and close confidant.

The influence of Anthony Bernal

Jill Biden's biographer, Katie Rogers, describes Bernal, 51, as the most influential person in the East Wing, responsible for everything that happens in it, from trips and scheduling to speeches and messaging.

Bernal's role extends beyond advising Jill; he also helps shape the public image of President Biden.

Rogers elaborates, "Bernal is the most powerful person in the East Wing... he has dominion over everything that happens in it, from trips and scheduling to speeches and messaging... he's on senior calls every day." Crucially, Bernal plays a key role in "blueprinting" and orchestrating "how the president appears to the public, not just the first lady."

As pressure increases on Jill Biden, whom insiders describe as "the one person" who could persuade the ailing president not to run in 2024, Bernal's role has faced greater scrutiny.

On Sunday, the Bidens headed to Camp David for a post-debate debrief and reportedly a pre-planned photoshoot with celebrity photographer Annie Leibovitz.

It was during their stay in these cozy presidential log cabins that Jill made a phone call to Vogue magazine, providing a last-minute update for her cover interview, scheduled to be released on Monday.

Jill insisted to Vogue, "[We] will not let those 90 minutes define the four years [Joe's] been president. We will continue to fight."

In the closing paragraphs of the lengthy magazine profile, Bernal appears, quoted on the record, stating, "Her family means everything to her. At her core, she's a private person."

Allegations against Anthony Bernal

Despite his loyalty and influence, Bernal faces serious allegations. A major investigation by the New York Post in March revealed accusations from almost a dozen current and former White House staffers, who described Bernal as a bully and alleged verbal sexual harassment.

Allegations include Bernal "often" speculating about the endowments of fellow political aides and even Secret Service agents. He has allegedly accused colleagues of having "small penises" during arguments and remarked on a staffer's "bulge in his khakis."

One insider claimed, "It was a lot of inappropriate remarks – talking about other people's attractiveness and speculating about their sex lives at very weird moments."

Others allege that Bernal, who is himself gay, speculates aloud at work about the sexuality of other staff.

An insider who worked with Bernal told The Post, "I have heard him say inappropriate things about people's sexuality. I heard him ask if people are gay all the time... I could think of more than one instance where he pontificated on whether someone was gay or not or said, 'They are definitely gay.'"

Another source claimed, "It is Me Too — classic Me Too."

Bernal, often referred to as the first lady's "work husband," as reported by New York Post, has been by Jill Biden's side throughout her presidency and previously served the Biden family during Joe Biden's vice presidency under Barack Obama. He strongly denies all allegations against him.

In a statement to the Daily Mail, he characterized the accusations as "false" and "baseless," attributing them to "gay hate and racism." He asserted, "I conduct my personal and professional interactions with integrity, compassion, and care."

White House support for Anthony Bernal's loyalty

In response to the New York Post's investigation, White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients expressed unwavering support for Bernal. He stated, "The president and first lady have full confidence in Anthony's character, as do I. It is disappointing that he is the target of unfounded attacks from unnamed sources."

Bernal is known for his intense privacy outside of work. He attended school in Tucson, Arizona, graduating in 1991, and later studied history and philosophy at the University of Texas.

He began his career in junior roles under President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore before joining the Bidens in 2008 as part of Jill's staff during the Obama campaign.

Bernal did not take much time to become a key support figure, a role he solidified after the death of the Bidens' son Beau from brain cancer in 2015.

Rogers explains, "Part of that relationship is absolutely solidified because of how he was able to keep things quiet, keep their privacy intact [after Beau's death]. Somebody told me that he would walk in front of a speeding train for [Jill]."

Such fierce loyalty has earned Bernal considerable influence over both the first lady and the president, the Daily Mail reported.