A festive family photo shared by former US President Joe Biden has ignited a significant online debate, not for its seasonal cheer, but for the curious positioning of the 83-year-old himself. The image, posted on Wednesday night, saw Biden largely hidden behind his wife, Dr Jill Biden, prompting a wave of comments ranging from bafflement to criticism.
The Viral Snapshot That Sparked Confusion
On Christmas Eve, Joe Biden took to his official X account to post a group portrait with seven family members in front of a decorated tree. He captioned the photo: 'Wishing you a peaceful and joyful Christmas Eve filled with love.' However, the well-wishes were quickly overshadowed as users scrutinised the composition. The 46th president was positioned at the back, with a substantial portion of his face blocked by his smiling wife, who stood in front of him.
The unusual framing did not go unnoticed. 'I saw this photo and thought – No f–ing way that's real,' one user wrote, suggesting it looked like a poor Photoshop job before confirming it came from Biden's verified account. By Thursday afternoon, the perplexing image had been viewed more than 3.1 million times, with the conversation focusing almost entirely on Biden's relegated placement.
Online Reaction: 'Disrespectful' or Just a Bad Angle?
The response on social media platform X was swift and largely incredulous. Many commenters directly questioned the decision to seemingly obscure the former commander-in-chief in his own holiday greeting. 'Nice of the lady to stand in front of your head Joe,' one user remarked sarcastically. Another asked pointedly, 'Why are you in the back... Blocked by Jill.'
Others offered more blunt assessments of the dynamic it portrayed. 'This is a former president of the United States being shoved in the background and half covered up by his wife in his own photo,' one observer stated. The sentiment that the move was 'disrespectful' to the eldest family member was echoed by several users, with one adding: 'His family buried him in the back of the Christmas photo and then posted it on his own account.'
Instead, the central focus of the portrait appeared to be Biden's 55-year-old son, Hunter Biden, who stood flanked by his daughter Maisy, 24, and his wife Melissa Cohen, 39. 'Hunter is the alpha now,' a separate user noted, commenting on the shift in prominence. The group was completed by Biden's daughter Ashley, 44, and granddaughter Finnegan, 25. Joe Biden was notably the only person in the photo whose face was partially obscured.
Context: A Lower Profile Post-Presidency
The photo controversy comes as Biden has assumed a far less public role since dropping out of the 2024 presidential race. His time in office was frequently marked by attention to verbal stumbles and gaffes, including mistakenly introducing Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky as 'President Putin' and confusing Vice President Kamala Harris with Donald Trump.
In May, Biden's post-presidential office disclosed that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, which had spread to his bones. He completed radiation treatment for the aggressive cancer in late October. The Thanksgiving holiday also saw him surrounded by family, though that gathering did not attract the same level of online scrutiny as this latest Christmas Eve snapshot.
Whether a simple photographic misstep or a symbolic moment, the image has cemented itself as an unexpected flashpoint in the ongoing public narrative surrounding the Biden family, proving that in the age of social media, even a seasonal greeting can become a major talking point.
