Former President Joe Biden has enlisted longtime Democratic communications strategist Chris Meagher to assist in efforts to manage his public image and secure his legacy, according to a report published by Politico. The move comes as Biden faces growing scrutiny from within his own party, following a contentious exit from the 2024 presidential race and ongoing challenges to his post-presidency narrative.
Meagher previously served in the Biden administration as a deputy White House press secretary and spokesperson for the Department of Defense. He also held communications roles for Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. According to Politico, Meagher played a key role in coordinating Biden’s appearance last Thursday on ABC’s The View, marking the former president’s first live interview since leaving office earlier this year.
The hiring of Meagher signals a more organized effort by Biden to re-enter public discourse at a time when his standing within the Democratic Party remains unsettled. Many party officials and strategists have attributed the Democratic loss in the 2024 presidential election to Biden’s reluctance to exit the race sooner.
His decision to remain in the running until after a widely criticized debate performance in June led to a fractured nomination process. Biden eventually endorsed former Vice President Kamala Harris, but not before attempts by senior Democratic figures—including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former President Barack Obama—to position an alternative candidate behind the scenes.
Biden hires veteran operative to help defend his reputation
Dude.. there is not enough money in the WORLD to defend or repair your so called “reputation”.
Hiring Chris Meagher, ( a former Biden deputy press secretary and Defense Department spokesperson) is not going to do… pic.twitter.com/CSBoXc1EOe
— Denise (@Likeshesays) May 8, 2025
Biden’s post-presidency plans appear to include a series of public appearances, a forthcoming book, and continued work on both his foundation and presidential library. However, his return to the spotlight has not been universally welcomed within the Democratic Party. Some party members have expressed concern that Biden’s pattern of verbal missteps could overshadow attempts to refocus on the party’s future leadership.
During a recent public address, Biden recalled an experience from his youth and used a term now considered outdated to refer to African American children. The comment sparked renewed discussion about the challenges of keeping the former president engaged in public settings. While Biden has long been known for unscripted remarks and gaffes, critics argue that such moments have taken on new weight amid ongoing questions about his cognitive abilities.
NEW: To defend him against allegations of senility, Joe Biden’s team has hired Chris Meagher, who previously helped cover up former defense secretary Lloyd Austin’s secret hospitalization.
The Biden administration spokesman has been tasked with helping the former president… pic.twitter.com/gfN7K88zjD
— Washington Free Beacon (@FreeBeacon) May 9, 2025
Biden also faces renewed attention surrounding his handling of classified documents while in office. Former Special Counsel Robert Hur concluded an investigation into the matter earlier this year, deciding not to bring criminal charges. However, in his report, Hur noted that Biden likely mishandled documents and displayed memory lapses that would make a conviction unlikely. The report described Biden as a “well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.”
The Biden White House released a heavily redacted transcript of the interview between Biden and Hur, but withheld the audio recording by invoking executive privilege in May. That decision has drawn criticism from congressional Republicans, particularly as former President Donald Trump considers releasing the full transcript of the interview.
Currently, Biden’s post-presidency communications are being overseen by Kelly Scully, a former special assistant and deputy press secretary. Scully is expected to step down from her role, with Meagher taking on broader responsibilities moving forward.
While Biden continues to build out his post-presidential platform, some Democratic operatives are questioning the wisdom of his renewed public engagement. “There are a lot of young and dynamic leaders in the Democratic Party who are focused on the path forward,” one party insider told Politico. “It’s better we focus on them, instead of an old man trying to convince himself and America he isn’t responsible for Donald Trump’s reelection.”
