'She'd still be the second lady': Former Biden aides turn on Jill Biden after she targets ex-staffer
WASHINGTON, DC: After Jill Biden called out Andrew Bates on Wednesday, June 3, for questioning the timing of Jill’s book and the content used in it, ex-Biden staffers and Democratic operatives publicly condemned former First Lady Jill Biden for publicly lashing out at Bates.
Questioning the timing of Jill’s book release, Bates, a former deputy press secretary in the Biden administration, said that Democrats “had a duty to win” in 2024 and “didn’t.”
Ex-Biden staffer accuses Jill Biden of giving statements to sell book
After Jill Biden, during a conversation with journalist Paola Ramos, lashed out at Andrew Bates and dared him to say things on her face if he had any, many who worked closely with the Biden White House and campaign criticized her remarks.
Talking to Axios reporter Alex Thompson, co-author of Original Sin, former Biden spokeswoman Rodericka Applewhaite ripped into former first lady, accusing her of “clinging to relevancy to sell books.”
“Why are we rehashing years-old scores and clinging to relevancy to sell books about palace intrigue within a wing that doesn’t even exist anymore,” Applewhaite asked.
Former Biden people are furious at the First Lady’s comments given how hard Bates worked for the Bidens.
— Alex Thompson (@AlexThomp) June 4, 2026
Former Biden spokesperson @Rodericka goes on the record: “Why are we rehashing years-old scores and clinging to relevancy to sell books about palace intrigue within a wing… https://t.co/g8jFFUr04n
She further asked why the party was not focusing on the bleak reality Americans have been experiencing, arguing that the disconnect with the common voter was behind the 2024 defeat.
Former aides defend Andrew Bates after Jill Biden's remark
Another former staffer in the Joe Biden White House told Thompson: “The former First Lady would still be known as the former Second Lady without Andrew Bates.”
Rob Flaherty, who served as deputy campaign manager for Biden’s 2024 reelection effort, posted on X: “Just a whole lot I could say about this but I will leave it at being so, unbelievably disappointed.”
Just a whole lot I could say about this but I will leave it at being so, unbelievably disappointed https://t.co/bP2P0lqa4Z
— Rob Flaherty (@Rob_Flaherty) June 4, 2026
Former Obama aide and Pod Save America co-host Tommy Vietor also defended Bates, writing: “No one was more loyal to the Biden family and fought harder for them than AndrewBatesNC. S****y to see that that loyalty was a one-way street.”
No one was more loyal to the Biden family and fought harder for them than @AndrewBatesNC. Shitty to see that that loyalty was a one-way street. https://t.co/wQMWbQCscA
— Tommy Vietor (@TVietor08) June 4, 2026
Jill Biden dares Andrew Bates to criticize her on face
Talking to the New York Post last week, Bates said, “I think about that all the time. But I don’t see why that painful conversation for the party needed to be publicly reopened right now.”
Later, during an interview with journalist Paola Ramos in Washington, Jill Biden clarified that her book “has one chapter on the political wounds, One.”
She added that much of the memoir focuses on her White House experiences, including teaching, travel, and family life, as she dared Bates to criticize her directly.
“So I want to say to Andrew: Call me up. If somebody has something to say, then say it to my face,” she jabbed.
