Biden, with an 'almost pained expression,' describes how presidency has affected marriage to Jill
First lady Jill Biden appeared Tuesday on the cover of Vogue, and she and President Biden described how the presidency has made things "harder" in their marriage.
The Bidens were asked whether becoming president and first lady has affected their marriage, and the president acknowledged that it has, with Vogue writing that an "almost pained expression" crossed his face as he explained how.
"I miss her," Biden said. "I'm really proud of her. But it's not like we can just go off like we used to. When we were living in Delaware and married, once a month we'd just go up to a local bed-and-breakfast by ourselves, to make sure we had a romantic time to just get away and hang out with each other."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"This life," though, "prevents" that, Biden said. He added that he's "not complaining," and that this is "part of the deal," but "it's just harder."
"I'll find that I'm working on a hell of an important speech and I'm distracted," he also said. "And then I may not be working on one and I want to go and hang out with her, and she's working on an important speech! Or grading papers. We have to figure out a way — and I mean this sincerely — to be able to steal time for one another. I think that's the deal."
The first lady agreed with this assessment, telling Vogue, "We're both so busy. And so we have to, I think, try a little harder to make time for one another."
The president also told Vogue that he never actually wanted to live in the White House, which evidently contributed to his reluctance to run for president.
"There was no real upside to living physically in the White House," Biden said. "It's the greatest honor in the world ... but there's no privacy." Read more at Vogue.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Today's political cartoons - November 26, 2024
Cartoons Tuesday's cartoons - Hong Kong, a big bird, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Methanol poisoning: how Laos horror happened
The Explainer Recent 'tainted-alcohol' deaths expose 'dangerous incentives driving backpacker-focused tourism'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Are cinema singalongs hitting a bum note?
Talking Point Wicked fans have been belting out songs during screenings – and not everyone's happy
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Trump completes Cabinet selections
Speed Read The president-elect's latest picks include Scott Bessent and Lori Chavez-DeRemer
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Democrats: time for wholesale reform?
Talking Point In the 'wreckage' of the election, the party must decide how to rebuild
By The Week UK Published
-
Global court issues arrest warrant for Netanyahu
Speed Read The International Criminal Court issued warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who stand accused of war crimes
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Gaetz bows out, Trump pivots to Pam Bondi
Speed Read Gaetz withdrew from attorney generation consideration, making way for longtime Trump loyalist Pam Bondi
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
ATACMS: the long-range American missiles being fired by Ukraine
The Explainer President Joe Biden has authorized their use for the first time in the war
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
GOP's Mace seeks federal anti-trans bathroom ban
Speed Read Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina has introduced legislation to ban transgender people from using federal facilities
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Ukraine fires ATACMS, Russia ups hybrid war
Speed Read Ukraine shot U.S.-provided long-range missiles and Russia threatened retaliation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
New York DA floats 4-year Trump sentencing freeze
Speed Read President-elect Donald Trump's sentencing is on hold, and his lawyers are pushing to dismiss the case while he's in office
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published