Biden secures $10M for presidential memoir

Hold onto your hats, folks — former President Joe Biden has just inked a staggering $10 million advance for a memoir about his time in the Oval Office, as Breitbart reports.

Reports confirm that Biden sold the rights to Hachette Book Group, with Little, Brown, & Company set to publish this account of his four-year tenure, though no release date has been announced.

Let’s put that $10 million in perspective with other political heavyweights. Former President Bill Clinton pocketed $15 million for his 2004 tome My Life, while Barack and Michelle Obama landed a jaw-dropping $60 million joint deal in 2017 with Penguin Random House. Meanwhile, Donald Trump opted out of a memoir after his first term, perhaps saving his best stories for another arena.

Biden’s big payday raises eyebrows

Now, Biden’s deal isn’t just about legacy — it’s got family financial drama written all over it. Back in May, reports surfaced that Biden and former First Lady Jill Biden were mulling a $30 million tell-all, a figure that suggests they’ve got some serious monetary motivations.

Part of that urgency seems tied to their son Hunter Biden’s mounting debts, including millions in legal fees from federal cases, slumping art sales, and a memoir of his own, Beautiful Things, that surged briefly in 2021 before crashing hard. Hunter’s book got glowing reviews from corporate media and prime promo on late-night talk shows, but apparently, that wasn’t enough to keep the cash flowing.

Speaking of Hunter, the infamous “laptop from hell” reports painted a grim picture of a lavish, drug-fueled lifestyle — details he himself admitted in his memoir. It’s hard not to wonder if Dad’s $10 million advance is partly a lifeline for a family navigating some very public messes. After all, helping out family is noble, but at what cost to taxpayers’ trust?

Health concerns cloud memoir timeline

Amid the buzz, Biden’s own words — “I’m working my tail off” — ring a bit hollow when you consider the health challenges he’s facing. A recent prostate cancer diagnosis could throw a wrench into the manuscript timeline and any plans for a book tour.

Then there’s the elephant in the room: persistent questions about Biden’s mental sharpness during his presidency. Critics, including Donald Trump, have pointed to Biden’s alleged reliance on an autopen for signatures, with Trump claiming Biden didn’t even know what he was signing, especially on unreviewed pardons, as reported on July 14.

Hunter hasn’t taken kindly to these critiques, lashing out with profanity in a recent YouTube interview against Democrats questioning his father’s mental state. It’s a fierce loyalty, sure, but it also raises questions about whether the Biden camp is more focused on defending image than addressing legitimate concerns.

Family loyalty or public concern

Let’s be real: a $10 million memoir deal is a golden ticket, but it’s tough to ignore the backdrop of personal and political baggage. The Biden family’s financial strains, particularly Hunter’s woes, seem to loom large over this decision. Is this book a heartfelt reflection or a strategic cash grab?

Contrast this with other presidents who’ve cashed in on their stories — Clinton and the Obamas set a high bar for post-White House payouts. Yet, their deals didn’t come with quite the same swirl of family scandal or health-related uncertainty that Biden faces now.

Trump’s decision to skip a memoir might just be the smartest play here — sometimes, less said is more. Biden, on the other hand, seems determined to get his version of history out there, even if the timing and context feel a bit off.

Will Biden’s story resonate?

The lack of a set publication date only adds to the skepticism. Will Biden even be in a position to promote this memoir if health issues persist, or will it quietly fade into the background like so many political promises?

Ultimately, the public will decide if this $10 million story is worth the read. There’s no shortage of curiosity about Biden’s presidency, but between health concerns and family drama, one has to wonder if the narrative will be overshadowed by the headlines already surrounding him.

Turns out, even in retirement, the spotlight doesn’t dim — it just shifts to a different kind of page. For now, we wait to see if Biden’s memoir delivers insight or just another chapter of controversy.