Stephen Collinson’s incisive analysis of the icy rapport between President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump is the kind of political drama that makes Washington D.C. feel less like a seat of governance and more like the setting for a soap opera with an unlimited budget. As Biden’s administration packs up to vacate the White House and Trump’s team gleefully prepares to redecorate in gold leaf, the tension between these two titans of American politics is, unsurprisingly, dialed up to eleven.
Enemies of State (of Mind)
It’s a tale as old as time—or at least as old as 2020: Biden, the elder statesman whose political career has been a marathon, versus Trump, the brash disruptor who turned the Republican Party into his personal stage. This isn’t a rivalry; it’s a feud. Think Hatfields and McCoys, but with nuclear codes. Biden’s polite disdain for Trump’s leadership style—if you can call “decency, decency, decency” polite—and Trump’s delight in publicly eviscerating “Sleepy Joe” are as predictable as they are entertaining. If only governing a deeply divided nation were a reality TV show, they’d both be shoo-ins for an Emmy.
The Subtweets Heard ‘Round the World
The days leading up to the inauguration have been a masterclass in passive-aggression. Biden, ever the sly fox, dropped one zinger after another that would make any late-night talk show host proud. When asked what Trump could learn from the recently deceased Jimmy Carter, Biden’s reply was almost too perfect: “Decency.” It was like watching someone wield a scalpel while wearing a kindly grandfather’s grin.
Trump, naturally, isn’t one to take the high road (or any road that doesn’t lead directly to a rally). His posts on Truth Social are a heady cocktail of hyperbole, misplaced blame, and all-caps fury. By now, one can almost set their watch to Trump’s ability to conflate unrelated issues with immigration policy, and the recent terror attack in New Orleans was no exception. Never mind that the suspect was a Texan—Trump’s narrative machine doesn’t stop for pesky details like facts.
Liz Cheney: A Medal and a Middle Finger
Then there’s Liz Cheney, who just received the Presidential Citizens Medal from Biden in a ceremony that felt less like an honor and more like an expertly timed provocation. Cheney, the Republican who dared to challenge Trump’s dominance over the GOP, is already public enemy number one in MAGA circles. Awarding her a medal was Biden’s way of saying, “I see you, Liz, and I got your back”—or, more pointedly, “Take that, Donald.”
Cheney’s stoicism during her standing ovation was as poetic as it was poignant. Here’s a politician who sacrificed her career to defend democratic principles, standing in the White House as the outgoing president subtly twists the knife into his successor. Capitol Hill Republicans threatening to investigate Cheney feels less like justice and more like revenge politics dressed in its Sunday best.
The (Un)Peaceful Transfer of Power
While the Biden administration has ensured a seamless transition on matters of national security—because even rivals can agree that adversaries like Russia and China shouldn’t get to revel in America’s chaos—the personal animosity between these two presidents remains palpable. Biden, in an ironic twist, is giving Trump something he never gave him: a peaceful transfer of power. It’s the kind of bitter irony that screenwriters dream of, though in real life, it’s both a relief and a reminder of how fragile democracy can be.
A Closing Act of American Drama
The real tragedy—and comedy—of this story is how predictable it all feels. The Biden-Trump rivalry isn’t just about personality clashes or policy differences; it’s about two fundamentally different visions for America. For Biden, it’s a nation of decency, collaboration, and (arguably overused) bipartisan gestures. For Trump, it’s a land where the winner takes all, and the losers are relegated to the trash heap of history—or, at least, the “fake news” category on Truth Social.
As the inauguration looms, we’re left with a moment that perfectly encapsulates the state of modern American politics: divided, dramatic, and utterly devoid of dull moments. Whether you’re a political junkie or just someone who loves a good feud, this showdown is one for the ages. Popcorn, anyone?