Joe Biden’s presidential library faces donor backlash over his reelection bid and legacy

WILMINGTON, DELAWARE: Joe Biden’s plans for a presidential library are facing growing uncertainty, with no confirmed location and a major Democratic donor refusing to contribute to the project.

The former president’s foundation reported $4 million in funding for 2024, while insiders say frustration over his 2024 reelection bid has affected donor support. The setback comes as Barack Obama’s $850 million presidential museum opened in Chicago in June, while Donald Trump’s planned $1 billion library is expected to be built in Miami.

Joe Biden’s presidential library faces funding uncertainty as donor refuses to contribute

John Morgan, a major Democratic donor, has said he will not contribute to Biden’s presidential library, citing concerns about the former president’s legacy.

“I can't speak for other donors, only myself, but I will not be contributing to it,” Morgan told the Daily Mail.

“While I still have deep respect for the man I once knew, his legacy was tarnished by the decisions of those closest to him,” he added.

The latest tax records filed by the Joe and Jill Biden Presidential Library Foundation show that it had $4 million in funding for the 2024 financial year, money left over from Biden’s failed reelection campaign.

The foundation spent just $21,348 on equipment, according to the filing.

Another tax form indicated that the foundation hoped to raise $11.3 million, far below the sums associated with Obama’s and Trump’s library projects.

The foundation’s 2025 tax return, due May 15, 2026, had not been filed, although tax-exempt organizations can receive an automatic six-month extension.

Biden’s initial plans reportedly involved raising several hundred million dollars for an immersive museum. However, donors remain frustrated over his decision to seek a second term despite concerns about his age.

His performance in the first presidential debate against Trump added to those concerns, eventually leading to Kamala Harris taking over the Democratic campaign before losing to Trump.

Joe Biden’s Delaware presidential library site remains unconfirmed

Biden announced in September last year that his presidential library would be located in Delaware, his home state. However, no site has been officially confirmed.

Records released by Wilmington’s mayoral office to Spotlight Delaware under freedom of information laws showed that city officials had been in contact with Biden’s representatives about potential locations.

In March last year, a Biden official emailed the mayor’s office saying the team was “working to get the lay of the land regarding potential sites in Wilmington.”

The representatives also requested more information about local economic development plans and showed particular interest in Riverfront East, an area along the Christina River.

A meeting between city and Biden officials followed two weeks later.

A 38-page presentation prepared by the city outlined Riverfront East’s development, including financial incentives intended to encourage private investment.

The presentation said zoning rules permitted a building of up to six stories and noted that construction funding was available.

Of the $60 million allocated by Delaware to the area, $48 million had already been spent.

The mayor’s office did not clarify whether state taxpayer money could be used for a library project.

The Presidential Libraries Act of 1955 prohibits federal funds from being used to build presidential libraries, but does not prohibit state funding.

Another location mentioned in the presentation was an area near the former headquarters of MBNA, the financial services company that was once Biden’s biggest donor during his Senate career.

The company also hired his son Hunter when he was in his 20s.

University of Delaware emerges as a possible option for Joe Biden’s library

A potentially less expensive alternative is the University of Delaware, Biden’s alma mater.

The university already holds records from his time as a senator and vice president and opened the Joseph R Biden Jr School of Public Policy and Administration in 2018.

Housing his presidential records in an existing university building could offer a more cost-effective option than constructing a new facility.

In February, Biden attended a private dinner at Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania with members of the 13-person board he appointed to oversee the library project.

His daughter Ashley shared a brief Instagram post about the gathering.

“I am grateful to all who acknowledge, celebrate, and honor Dads lifetime of public service,” she wrote.

The National Archives and Records Administration office responsible for Biden’s presidential library said it did not handle funding or construction matters.

A representative told the Daily Mail, “To date, President Biden has not indicated his intentions with regard to a Presidential Library.”

Neither Biden’s office nor the mayor of Wilmington’s office provided further clarification on the project’s funding or location.

Donor frustration grows as Joe Biden’s presidential legacy comes under scrutiny

Biden has been focusing on his upcoming book, 'Promise Me, America,' scheduled for release on November 17, after the midterms.

However, insiders say some donors who might have supported his library are directing their money toward Democratic campaigns instead.

A former White House official previously described Biden as “selfish” and said the presidency had been “intoxicating.”

The official also criticized the advisers who, in their view, failed to challenge Biden’s decision to run again.

“They did the country a disservice, but ultimately, the buck stops with him, and he bears the responsibility for what was a very reckless decision,” the official said.

Presidential libraries have long served as a way to preserve records and document a president’s time in office.

The system began in 1939, when Franklin D Roosevelt transferred his records to the government and donors raised money for a library.

Since then, the cost of these projects has risen sharply. George H W Bush’s library cost $43 million in 1997, while Bill Clinton’s cost $165 million and George W Bush’s reached $500 million.

Delaware Governor Matt Meyer has welcomed Biden’s decision to base his library in the state, saying it would help future generations understand the former president’s life and career.

“To Delaware, he will always be our favorite. The new presidential library here in Delaware will give future generations the chance to see his story of resilience, family and never forgetting your roots,” Meyer said.