In a moment that sparked widespread questions about the state of the presidency, First Lady Jill Biden took control of a Cabinet meeting after President Joe Biden appeared visibly exhausted and struggling to participate. The incident, which occurred during the first full Cabinet meeting in nearly a year, has fueled concerns about the President’s ability to govern effectively as he approaches the end of his term.
The meeting, held on September 20, 2024, was initially presided over by President Biden, but observers quickly noted his fatigue. After brief opening remarks, he turned over the floor to the First Lady, saying, “I’d like to turn it over to Jill for any comments she has.” Jill Biden then led the discussion, focusing on women’s health issues, a topic she has championed during her time as First Lady.
I don't know what's scarier:
The fact that the Biden Regime hasn't held a cabinet meeting in 11 months while the world is on fire, or when they did meet today, unelected, fake doctor Jill sat at the head of the table, while her brain-dead husband had no idea what was going on. pic.twitter.com/2J0c5AQkTe— Vince Langman (@LangmanVince) September 20, 2024
While previous First Ladies have occasionally attended or contributed to Cabinet meetings, the extent of Jill Biden’s involvement in this particular session raised eyebrows. Critics argue that her role in leading such a significant government function crosses a line, especially given that she holds no elected office. As one commentator pointed out, “It’s one thing for a First Lady to champion personal causes, but leading a Cabinet meeting as if she holds actual governmental power is a different story”.
The incident comes at a time when President Biden’s capacity to fulfill his duties is under increased scrutiny. Following his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race two months earlier, Biden has faced growing questions about his mental and physical fitness. His frequent absences from the public eye, coupled with this latest Cabinet meeting, have further stoked these concerns.
Between Kamala and Jill Biden, we have two women who never received any votes taking turns as President.
Joe Biden is unfit. Everyone knows it, and no one will do anything about it. That's scary. We're in a very bad spot.
But we can return REAL leadership to Washington DC, on… pic.twitter.com/R4UUITdCAc
— Kari Lake (@KariLake) September 21, 2024
Social media exploded with reactions to the event, with many commentators noting the unusual optics of the First Lady effectively running the meeting. Some critics were quick to highlight that Vice President Kamala Harris was conspicuously absent from the session, adding to the speculation about the dynamics within the administration. “Remind me again, when was she elected?” one user quipped on social media, pointing out the unorthodox nature of Jill Biden’s prominent role.
Mainstream media outlets, particularly those sympathetic to the administration, downplayed the incident, presenting Jill Biden’s involvement as normal and emphasizing her long-standing advocacy for women’s health issues. However, conservative commentators have been less forgiving, framing the event as further evidence of President Biden’s diminished capacity and a sign that others, including his wife, are now running the show.
The First Lady’s increasing public presence in situations traditionally reserved for the President has not gone unnoticed. In previous administrations, First Ladies like Michelle Obama and Laura Bush advocated for causes they were passionate about but did not take on roles that involved leading official government meetings. This latest episode raises questions about who is really calling the shots in the Biden administration as it heads into its final months.
As the administration faces increasing pressure to address the President’s declining health and the role of unelected figures in governance, the optics of Jill Biden leading a Cabinet meeting are unlikely to fade from public discourse anytime soon.
