Hold onto your hats, because this story is about to take a wild turn! Kelly Slater, at 54, is reportedly coming out of retirement for the 28th consecutive year, but that’s not even the most jaw-dropping news here. Let’s rewind for a moment—do you remember when left-leaning surfers were riding high on the Joe Biden wave? It feels like ages ago, but just five years back, the former vice president charmed his way into the Oval Office, unseating Donald Trump in an election that, let’s be honest, left more than a few scars. Accusations of rigging, a Capitol riot, and a messy transition later, Biden took the helm—only to steer the ship into choppy waters. From scandals involving his son to a foreign policy that left many scratching their heads, soaring inflation, and two wars, his presidency was anything but smooth sailing. And let’s not forget the elephant in the room: his age, which became impossible to ignore as his term drew to a close.
Fast forward to today, and Biden’s political legacy is facing a new challenge—one that’s as symbolic as it is financial. Every president since Herbert Hoover has had a presidential library built to house their memorabilia, funded by deep-pocketed supporters. Barack Obama’s library in Chicago is nearing a staggering $1 billion, while George W. Bush’s in Texas cost around $300 million. Even Richard Nixon’s library in Yorba Linda, California, offers a polished retelling of his career, Watergate scandals and all. But Biden’s? Well, that’s a different story.
Biden’s team had hoped to raise between $200 million and $300 million for his library, but recent IRS filings reveal they’ve only managed to scrape together a mere $11 million. And this is the part most people miss: major Democratic donors are sitting this one out. John Morgan, a Florida-based lawyer and mega-donor, bluntly told NBC News, “I don’t believe a library will ever be built unless it’s a bookmobile from the old days.” Susie Buell, another prominent donor, echoed the sentiment: “No one has asked, but I am not inclined to give to libraries.”
So, what’s behind this reluctance? Pundits point to a growing frustration among left-leaning voters, who blame Biden for paving the way for Trump’s potential return by running for a second term at 81—a decision that didn’t exactly inspire confidence, especially after moments like his stumble-filled debate performance. But here’s where it gets controversial: Is it fair to hold Biden solely responsible for the current political climate, or are donors simply prioritizing more immediate issues? Nikki Fried, chair of the Florida Democratic Party, hinted at the latter, stating, “Potential donors want a plan to save democracy and fix the economy, not fund a library when we’ve got real issues to focus on today.”
Even Democratic National Committee fundraising chair Chris Korge admitted, “If Biden didn’t run in 2024, he could’ve gone out as a hero and focused on raising money for the library.” Instead, the project now hangs in the balance, leaving some to wonder if left-leaning surfers—or anyone else—will step up to save the day.
So, here’s the big question: Do you think Biden deserves a presidential library, or should donors focus on more pressing issues? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments—this debate is far from over!
