In a recent episode of his podcast “Pod Save America,” Jon Favreau, a former Obama administration staffer, made a surprising comment about President Joe Biden’s decision not to award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to former President Barack Obama. The discussion centered around Biden’s choice to bestow the prestigious honor on individuals like former Rep. Liz Cheney, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and billionaire philanthropist George Soros, but notably left out Obama, the very man who had awarded him the medal just a few years earlier.
Favreau, alongside his fellow Obama-era aides Jon Lovett and Tommy Vietor, observed that Biden’s decision to withhold the Medal of Freedom from Obama was an unusual one, especially given the symbolic gesture of giving the medal to Biden in 2017, just before leaving office. “Obama gave one to Biden, and Biden did not return the favor,” Favreau remarked, prompting a bit of laughter among the hosts.
The comment sparked further discussion about the relationship between Biden and Obama. Lovett, picking up on the subtle tension, quipped, “I guess they’re not really on speaking terms, I suppose, after all that’s happened.” This light-hearted remark touches on deeper dynamics between the two men, especially considering the history of their political relationship.
Reports have indicated that Obama had reservations about Biden’s presidential aspirations. In 2015, Obama’s aides reportedly tried to dissuade Biden from running against Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primaries. More recently, the Washington Post revealed that Obama privately advised Biden to reconsider seeking re-election after a lackluster debate performance against then-President Donald Trump.
For Republicans, this ongoing tension between Biden and Obama offers an intriguing glimpse into the behind-the-scenes friction within the Democratic Party. While Democrats often tout their unity, such incidents reveal deeper divisions and rivalries that could have significant implications as the party moves forward into the next election cycle.