Is Jill Biden urging Joe Biden to NOT exit 2024 race? A look at her most controversial moments

Examining Jill Biden's most controversial moments and her influence on Joe Biden's decision to stay in 2024 race

Jill Biden, the First Lady of the United States, has largely avoided major controversies during her husband, President Joe Biden's tenure. While there have been no accusations of plagiarism or inappropriate wardrobe choices, Jill has not been entirely free from controversy. These moments of contention began even before the Bidens entered the White House. Jill and Joe Biden met in 1975 and married in 1977, following Jill's divorce from her first husband, Bill Stevenson. Stevenson's claims of infidelity and subsequent media backlash marked the beginning of Jill's public scrutiny. "I was betrayed by the Bidens," he told Inside Edition in September 2020. "Joe was my friend. Jill was my wife." Despite these early issues, Jill Biden's role as First Lady has brought a wave of criticism, spanning from cultural missteps to debates over her 'Dr' title.

Breakfast tacos and bodegas

One of Jill Biden's most notable controversies occurred during a speech at a July 2022 conference for UnidosUS, a Latino civil rights and advocacy organization in San Antonio. As the First Lady aimed to celebrate the diversity of the Latino community, her choice of words and mispronunciation led to widespread criticism. She stated, "The diversity of this community — as distinct as the bodegas of the Bronx, as beautiful as the blossoms of Miami, and as unique as the breakfast tacos here in San Antonio — is your strength," mispronouncing "bodega" in the process. The remark was perceived as an insensitive stereotype, prompting backlash. In response, her spokesperson, Michael LaRosa, posted an apology on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "The first lady apologizes that her words conveyed anything but pure admiration and love for the Latino community," per Nicki Swift.

Sportsmanship or favoritism?

Jill Biden's enthusiasm for sports led to another controversy following the April 2023 NCAA women's basketball championship finals. After watching the Louisiana State University Tigers defeat the University of Iowa Hawkeyes 102-85, the First Lady suggested that both the winning and losing teams be invited to the White House. "So I know we'll have the champions come to the White House, they always do, so you know, we'll have LSU come," Jill said. "But, you know what? I'm going to tell Joe I think Iowa should come, too, because they played such a good game. Right? Winners and losers... that's good sportsmanship!" This was met with accusations of racism, as LSU's team is predominantly Black and Iowa's team is predominantly White. LSU star forward Angel Reese criticized the idea, stating on the 'Paper Route by I am Athlete' podcast, "If we were to lose, we would not be getting invited to the White House." The controversy was further satirized by 'Saturday Night Live', with Punkie Johnson quipping during a 'Weekend Update' skit, "White girls lose, and suddenly it's all teams matter."

Debate over Dr Jill Biden’s title

The use of the honorific "Dr" by Jill Biden has sparked considerable debate and controversy. In November 2020, the National Review published a scathing critique, arguing that Jill was unworthy of the title as her degree is an EdD, not a PhD, and disparaging her dissertation as "garbage." This was followed by a condescending op-ed in The Wall Street Journal, where Joseph Epstein wrote, "Madame First Lady — Mrs. Biden — Jill — kiddo: a bit of advice on what may seem like a small but I think is a not unimportant matter. Any chance you might drop the 'Dr' before your name? 'Dr Jill Biden' sounds and feels fraudulent, not to say a touch comic." The controversy sparked a debate on social media. Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr, defended Jill, tweeting, "Dear @DrBiden: My father was a non-medical doctor. And his work benefited humanity greatly. Yours does, too." Hillary Clinton also supported Jill, writing, "Her name is Dr Jill Biden. Get used to it." Critics, however, continued to argue against the title, with one commenting, "She's not a DR. Calling her 'Dr' is an insult to those that actually earned the title," while another sarcastically suggested titles for celebrities, "No problem. Also good with Dr Kanye West, Dr Ben Affleck, Dr Jon Bon Jovi, and Dr P Diddy."

Praise for Nancy Reagan during LGBTQ+ Pride Month

Jill Biden's comments during a speech in June 2022, honoring Nancy Reagan with a postage stamp, raised eyebrows due to the Reagan administration's controversial handling of the AIDS epidemic. President Joe Biden is known for his staunch support of the LGBTQ+ community, having voiced his support for same-sex marriage in May 2012. Thus, Jill's praise for Nancy Reagan during Gay Pride Month seemed incongruous to many. Jill stated, "She made such a difference. We can all change the world in big ways and small ones and Mrs. Reagan reminds us we need both. It's up to each of us to find small everyday ways we can bring our communities together." Critics were quick to point out the Reagan administration's delayed response to the AIDS crisis, which had devastating effects on the LGBTQ+ community. The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a charity group, had previously condemned Nancy Reagan, stating, "If there is a hell both Ronny and Nancy are Roasting."

Cleaning up after Joe Biden

Concerns over President Joe Biden's mental and physical capabilities have been a recurring theme throughout his presidency, particularly after a challenging debate performance in June 2024. Joe Biden himself acknowledged the poor performance, admitting in an interview with 'The Earl Ingram Show', "I had a bad night, and the fact of the matter is that you know... I screwed up. I made a mistake." Despite his admission, the incident amplified calls for him to step aside for another candidate to challenge Donald Trump. Jill Biden, however, has remained a steadfast supporter of her husband. She told Vogue, "We will not let those 90 minutes define the four years he's been president. We will continue to fight." Following the debate, Jill was seen guiding Joe off the stage, later reassuring him, "Joe, you did such a great job answering every question. You knew all the facts." This led to accusations that she was treating her husband like a child. Political historian Christopher Phelps commented on her influence, telling the Daily Mail in June, "She is a close counsel of Joe Biden and his ardent supporter, both personally and politically. She was reputedly crucial to Biden's decision to run again, and she will undoubtedly be crucial in the coming days as pressure mounts on Biden to withdraw."