It is a weird feeling, isn't it? One day a guy is the leader of the free world, showing up on every news ticker and interrupting your favorite sitcom for a "breaking news" address, and the next, he's basically just a guy in a windbreaker. Honestly, if you’re asking where is Joe Biden lately, you aren’t alone. The transition from the West Wing to private life is always a bit of a head-spinner, especially after a term that ended with as much drama as 2024 provided.
He’s not exactly hiding, but he is certainly laying low.
The Post-Presidency Pivot
After President Trump’s second inauguration in January 2025, the Bidens did what most former First Couples do: they hitched a ride on a final government flight and got the heck out of D.C. They headed west. Specifically, they landed at Vandenberg Space Force Base before heading to a familiar retreat in the Santa Ynez Valley. If you've ever seen the rolling hills of Santa Barbara County, you know why. It’s quiet. It’s full of wineries. It’s the exact opposite of the 24-hour stress cycle of the Oval Office.
But look, Joe Biden isn't just sitting on a porch. He’s 83 years old now. Since leaving office, his schedule has shifted from "global crisis management" to "legacy management."
He has been splitting most of his time between three main spots:
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- Wilmington, Delaware: This is home base. He’s frequently seen at St. Joseph on the Brandywine, the same church he’s attended for decades.
- Rehoboth Beach: For those long walks and the occasional bike ride—though people still get nervous when he gets on two wheels after that 2022 spill.
- The Kiani Preserve: A massive 8,000-acre ranch in California where he and Jill have spent significant time since Jan 2025.
The Health Question Everyone Whispers About
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. You’ve probably heard the rumors or seen the headlines about his health since he stepped back. In May 2025, there was a pretty serious update from the Miller Center and various news outlets. Biden was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that had reportedly spread to his bones.
It’s heavy stuff.
Since that diagnosis, his public appearances have thinned out. He’s undergoing treatment, and by all accounts, Dr. Jill Biden is the one keeping the operation running. When he does pop up, like he did for his first major post-presidency remarks in Chicago at the 2025 Conference of Advocates, Counselors, and Representatives for the Disabled, he looks thinner. He’s still got that classic Biden "scrappy" energy, but the pace is definitely slower.
What is Joe Biden actually doing all day?
He’s writing. No, seriously. Most presidents jump into a memoir immediately because the publishers are breathing down their necks for a "fast schedule." Biden is no exception. His team has been working with the National Archives to organize his presidential papers, while he and his advisors scout locations for the Joe Biden Presidential Library. Delaware is the frontrunner, obviously, but nothing is set in stone yet.
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There's also been a fair amount of "backseat driving" from the sidelines—mostly in private. Friends say he’s still a political junkie. He watches the news. He’s reportedly frustrated with how his legacy is being framed, especially the narrative that he "caused" the return of the current administration by staying in the race too long. In early 2025, he even told an interviewer he still believed he could have won. Whether that’s true or just the classic Biden "I’m a fighter" mentality is up for debate.
Where is Joe Biden when the cameras aren't on?
Usually, he's with family. The "middle-class Joe" persona was always built on a foundation of being a family man, and that hasn't changed. He’s spending a ton of time with his grandkids. You’ll catch glimpses of him in Wilmington, maybe grabbing a sandwich or attending a local event, but the days of the 20-car motorcade are over.
The Legal and Political Shadow
Even in retirement, the guy can't catch a break from the headlines. You might remember those sweeping pardons he issued right before leaving office—including for members of his own family. That move is still being picked apart by legal experts and political rivals. Some see it as a father protecting his kin from "politically motivated investigations," while others call it a massive abuse of power. Either way, it’s a big part of why people are still Googling him.
Then there’s the 2026 midterm cycle. Even though he’s not on the ballot, his policies are. Democrats are currently leading in some polls regarding the economy, and they’re leaning on the "Biden-era" wins like the Inflation Reduction Act to make their case. He’s a ghost in the machine of the current election cycle—not quite a campaigner, but definitely a reference point.
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Is he still influential?
Kinda. He doesn't have the "bully pulpit" anymore, but he’s still the elder statesman of the Democratic party. When he speaks, people listen, even if they’re just checking to see how he’s holding up. His farewell address back in January 2025 was a bit of a dark one—warning about "ascending oligarchy" and the "avalanche of misinformation." He seems more focused on the state of American democracy than the day-to-day bickering of Congress.
Actionable Insights: How to Keep Up With Him
If you're looking to track his next move, don't look at the official White House schedule anymore. That’s for the other guy. Instead, keep an eye on these outlets:
- The Biden Foundation: Often the first place to announce any new charitable or legacy projects.
- Local Delaware News: Places like the Delaware Online or The News Journal usually catch him at the grocery store or church long before CNN does.
- The National Archives: If you're a history nerd, this is where the real work of his library and papers is being documented.
Basically, Joe Biden is living the life of a retired 83-year-old with a very complicated medical chart and a very long list of things he wants history to remember. He’s in Delaware, he’s in California, and he’s probably wondering—just like the rest of us—what happens next.
To stay truly updated, follow the local Wilmington press and the University of Delaware’s political science department, as they are frequently the first to host or hear about the former president’s local community engagements. Look for announcements regarding the site selection of his presidential library, which will be the next major public milestone in his post-White House life.