Biden's Mental Health in the Spotlight: The Impact on Democrats and the Future of the Party

Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. (born November 20, 1942) is an American politician who served as the 46th president of the United States from 2021 to 2025. A member of the Democratic Party, Biden represented Delaware in the U.S. Senate from 1973 to 2009, making him one of the longest-serving senators. He also served as the 47th vice president under Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017[1][3][4]. Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Biden moved with his family to Delaware in 1953. He graduated from the University of Delaware in 1965 and Syracuse University College of Law in 1968. He was elected to the New Castle County Council in 1970 before winning a Senate seat in 1972 at age 29. Shortly after his election, a car accident tragically killed his first wife Neilia and daughter Naomi, while his two sons were seriously injured. He took the Senate oath at the hospital and commuted daily to Washington by train for decades[1][4]. During his Senate career, Biden chaired the Judiciary and Foreign Relations Committees. He was instrumental in passing major legislation, including the 1994 Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act and the Violence Against Women Act. He also oversaw several Supreme Court confirmation hearings and played a significant role in shaping U.S. foreign policy[1][4]. After two unsuccessful presidential bids in 1988 and 2008, Biden was chosen by Barack Obama as his vice presidential running mate in 2008. As vice president, Biden was a close adviser and led initiatives like the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the Cancer Moonshot program. In 2020, Biden was elected president with Kamala Harris as his vice president, defeating incumbent Donald Trump[1][4]. Biden’s presidency focused on restoring U.S. global leadership, addressing COVID-19, economic recovery, and social equity. He was the first president to serve alongside the first Black woman vice president. He announced in July 2024 that he would not seek reelection and left office in January 2025. In May 2025, he publicly disclosed a diagnosis of Stage 4 prostate cancer with bone metastases[3].