Amid former President Joe Biden’s battle with prostate cancer, he’s largely stepped back from politics. But as he rests and enjoys time with loved ones, he isn’t hiding his feelings regarding President Trump’s actions, particularly when it comes to the White House renovations.
Former President Joe Biden Expresses Disappointment With White House Remodel
Joe Biden left the presidency when his term ended in January 2025. Since then, he’s felt sorely disappointed with the renovations the current president, Donald Trump, has made.
“Almost as disturbing as the gold bars on the walls of the White House and the Oval Office,” former president Biden told PEOPLE when asked how he feels about the ongoing White House remodels.
“I mean, what the hell are we talking about?” the 83-year-old lamented. “I find it disturbing … I’ve viewed the president’s judgment in tearing down the East Wing and a number of other things as nothing more than to try to create monuments to himself: ‘I built that.’”
Biden made his feelings clear on the matter, noting that President Trump’s priorities are severly misplaced.
“I find it beneath the country,” the former president added.
The Former President & First Lady Feel Hopeful for the Future
While Joe Biden is certainly less than enthused about the White House renovations, he does miss the staff that keeps the facilities up and running smoothly. Even after leaving the presidency, he has nothing but lovely things to say about them.
“They’re good people, from the people making sure there’s a sheet on the bed to the people who are taking care of all the visitors that come through,” Biden told the outlet. “They all have a sense of honor, what they’re doing in the White House. It’s the ‘People’s House.’”
Though disappointed by President Trump’s remodels, Biden believes the country is taking a turn for the better. His interview took place just after the November mid-term elections.
“I was really pleased that the American people … I was worried whether they were going to fall for just the bravado of the Republican leadership and Trump in particular, but they weren’t,” the former president told PEOPLE. “Look at the people we got elected: first women governors, first Black governors. And I think that we really have made some real progress in both parties.”
Former first lady Dr. Jill Biden agreed, noting the mid-term elections certainly raised their spirits.
“I turned on the TV in the morning and I heard [Texas Sen.-elect] James Talarico — the first thing I heard on the TV was, ‘The power has been returned to the people,’ and I thought that was such a strong statement and that’s how I felt,” Dr. Biden shared.
Former President Joe Biden Speaks Out Against Ongoing White House Renovations