He’s out. After fifty years of the grind—the Senate, the VP years, that intense four-year sprint in the White House—Joe Biden has finally stepped back. But if you’re looking for him to just vanish into a Delaware basement or spend 12 hours a day on a beach chair, you’re kinda looking at the wrong guy.
Transitioning from the most powerful person on the planet to a private citizen is a massive gear shift. One day you have the "Football" following you; the next, you're worrying about the Wi-Fi in your home office. So, what does Joe Biden do now in early 2026?
Honestly, it's a mix of high-level legacy building and the kind of quiet, family-focused life he hasn't had since the early '70s.
The $10 Million Memoir Grind
Writing a book sounds relaxing until you realize you have to account for every major geopolitical decision you made. Biden has been "working his tail off" on a memoir about his presidency. He secured a deal with Little, Brown & Co. (part of the Hachette Book Group) for an advance reported to be around $10 million.
It's a big number, but interestingly, it's a lot less than the $60 million the Obamas pulled in. Why? Some publishing insiders say the market for political memoirs has cooled, and others point to the messy nature of his 2024 withdrawal affecting "prestige" value.
He’s been working with researchers to document his four years in office. He’s not just talking about the big wins like the Inflation Reduction Act; he’s reportedly digging into the harder stuff, like the withdrawal from Afghanistan and the internal pressure to step aside for Kamala Harris. It’s his chance to set the record straight on his own terms.
The Presidential Library: A Delaware Dream?
Every president wants a monument. Biden is no different, but his project is moving a bit... slowly.
He officially chose Delaware as the home for his presidential library and museum in late 2025. This makes sense. The man is Delaware. However, the fundraising has been a bit of a slog.
- The Goal: Somewhere around $200 million.
- The Reality: By late 2025, the foundation had only raised about $4 million in "new" money, with some leftover inaugural funds padding the bank account.
- The Obstacles: Major Democratic donors have been focused on the 2024 and 2028 election cycles. There’s a bit of "donor fatigue" happening.
There’s a lot of talk right now about merging the library with the University of Delaware. Instead of a massive, standalone $500 million complex like the Obama Center in Chicago, we might see something more integrated into his alma mater. Basically, it’ll be a hub for "civic engagement" rather than just a building full of old pens and dusty documents.
Keeping the "Fight" Alive
On his way out, Biden told his staff, "We’re leaving office, but we’re not leaving the fight." He wasn't kidding. He’s still active through two main channels:
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- The Biden Institute (University of Delaware): This is his home base for domestic policy. He’s focusing on things like the Biden Cancer Moonshot, which is deeply personal to him after losing his son Beau. He wants to keep pushing for increased funding for cancer research and women's health.
- The Penn Biden Center (Washington, D.C.): This is where he handles the "statesman" side of things. Even though he's not in power, he still talks to foreign leaders and weighs in on global democracy.
He’s also been dealing with some personal health hurdles. Reports surfaced in 2025 about a prostate cancer diagnosis, which he’s been managing while trying to stay active. It hasn't stopped him, but it has definitely slowed the travel schedule.
Life in Wilmington and Rehoboth
Most of his time is spent between his home in Wilmington and the beach house in Rehoboth Beach.
If you see him now, he’s likely with Dr. Jill Biden, who has stayed busy too. She’s still a champion for community colleges and military families through Joining Forces. They are finally getting those Sunday dinners with the grandkids without a Secret Service detail hovering (well, they still have detail, but it's smaller and less "Oval Office-y").
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He’s still a "car guy." You might occasionally hear about him taking his 1967 Corvette Stingray for a spin, though the Secret Service usually prefers he stays on private property for that.
Why "What Does Joe Biden Do Now" Matters
It’s easy to think of former presidents as historical artifacts. But Biden’s post-presidency is a test of his "Bridge President" theory. He saw himself as a transition figure. Now, he’s watching from the sidelines as the country moves into a new era under Donald Trump’s second term.
He’s staying vocal about protecting democracy, but he’s being careful not to step on the toes of the current Democratic leadership. It’s a delicate balance.
What to Watch Next
If you’re following the Biden legacy, keep an eye on these three things:
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- The Memoir Release: Expect a massive media blitz when the book finally drops. It will likely be the definitive (and defensive) account of the 2024 election.
- The Library Site Selection: Look for an official announcement on whether it’s going to be a standalone building in Wilmington or a wing at the University of Delaware.
- Cancer Moonshot Milestones: Watch for Biden to make public appearances at major medical summits. This is the one policy area where he remains a true "North Star" for both parties.
The "Biden era" didn't end on January 20, 2025. It just moved from the West Wing to the library and the lecture hall.