Jill Biden's ex-aide Michael LaRosa calls her and Joe's public image 'inauthentic' in scathing post
WASHINGTON, DC: One of Jill Biden’s former aides recently shaded the former first lady and claimed that it was her "inauthentic" persona that took a toll on her husband, former President Joe Biden’s second presidential bid.
As the former president and the first lady seemingly enjoy their post-presidential retired life, the former staffer, Michael LaRosa, took aim at the couple’s problem with PR management and how that has ultimately backfired.
Ugh. Even in their post-presidency, they're surrounded by staff with primitive instincts for PR or communicating publicly in ways that broaden and enhance their images. Whose idea was it to pose for a picture in a grocery store, as if it's somehow novel or unique to the rest of… pic.twitter.com/KzQZH5n2Wj
— Michael LaRosa (@MichaelLaRosaDC) April 17, 2025
While calling out the public relations issue, LaRosa, who worked as an aide to Jill from 2021 to 2022, shared his opinion that the issues also lessen the authenticity of the couple, subsequently leading to his failure in the reelection bid.
Former aide calls out Joe and Jill Biden for inauthenticity
Just a week after Joe Biden made his first speech since the election while addressing the Advocates, Counselors, and Representatives for the Disabled convention in Chicago on Tuesday, April 15, Michael LaRosa took the social media to criticize the Bidens' issues with public relations.
Citing the former first lady’s Instagram photo before Easter, where she posed in a grocery store while shopping for gifts and decorations, the ex-staffer penned his criticizing note.
The 73-year-old educator shared the picture and captioned that she couldn’t "wait to see our kids and grandkids." However, LaRosa criticized it for not being an authentic portrayal of emotions.
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"Ugh. Even in their post-presidency, they're surrounded by staff with primitive instincts for PR or communicating publicly in ways that broaden and enhance their images," wrote LaRosa in his X (formerly Twitter) post.
He continued, "Whose idea was it to pose for a picture in a grocery store, as if it's somehow novel or unique to the rest of us? The biggest problem for the Bidens, still, is the staff who keep them disconnected from modern and authentic means of speaking to their supporters and followers."
"*Zero authenticity. *Always a script. *Always staged. *Never an organic, unchoreographed, or candid interaction," LaRosa added, listing the alleged problems he feels plague the Bidens.
He continued, "Even after the historic strategic PR blunders and failures to understand or compete successfully in an age of authentic media engagement....the failures I believe that led to their tragic end to leading our party, the Bidens are still kept on a leash by very tone deaf, JV, gatekeepers. It's so sad."
However, LaRosa clarified that though he is criticizing the Bidens’ current team, he wants the former first couple to do better.
"She/they deserved and still deserve better. But it's totally reflective of a challenge that plagued them since 2019... a neglect, refusal, or late start to take fresh, relevant, and contemporary political and media advice," the ex-staffer concluded.
Michael LaRosa says he still has love and respect for the Bidens
Following his explosive social media rant, the ex-staffer further provided insight into his stance regarding Bidens during an interview with The Hill.
He clarified that he still has love and respect for the couple and that his criticism was directed toward their current staff members, who seemingly don’t direct the elderly couple in their media interactions, as reported by the Irish Star.
Speaking to the outlet, LaRosa said, "I love both Bidens dearly, but staff loyalty means there is a responsibility to provide them with an honest situational awareness, especially when it comes to their public image, no matter how hurtful it is to hear."
He highlighted that Joe Biden’s gaffes in front of the media allowed his image to plummet while allowing his opponents to distract voters and redirect the population against him.
“Biden’s reemergence, while it changed very little in the news cycle, provided a detour for the president to distract his cadre of supporters with Biden taunts and blame, giving Fox News nearly 48 hours of fresh new programming, taking editorial aim at the former president instead of the current one,” shared LaRosa referencing Biden’s latest public speech where he appeared to crack a little joke at President Donald Trump’s expense as well.
