Barack Obama has been all but silent in the aftermath of Joe Biden’s disastrous debate performance two weeks ago, but those closest to him have been some of the most vocal critics of the president.
In Megyn’s view, that connection cannot be overlooked – and she is not alone. Over at MSNBC, Joe Scarborough said that “the Biden campaign” and “many Democratic officials” believe Obama “is quietly working behind the scenes to orchestrate” the pile-on.
On Thursday’s show, Megyn was joined by former acting director of national intelligence Ric Grenell to discuss the rumors about Obama and why he would want Biden out of the 2024 race.
Pulling the Strings?
It is no secret in Hollywood or Washington, DC, that George Clooney is buddy-buddy with Obama. And in the wake of Clooney’s stunning op-ed in The New York Times on Wednesday urging Biden to withdraw as the Democratic nominee, reports indicate the forty-fourth president was given a heads up about the piece before it ran and had no objection to it.
It should be noted that Obama sat for an interview with Biden and late-night host Jimmy Kimmel at the very fundraiser Clooney said led him to realize the incumbent is no longer up to the job. And Obama even grabbed his former vice president’s arm to lead him off stage when he appeared disoriented after the talk.
But it’s not just Clooney taking shots at Biden. Former Obama senior advisor David Axelrod started his criticism even before the debate debacle, and the hosts of the Pod Save America podcast – former Obama aides Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Dan Pfeiffer, and Tommy Vietor – have started pulling no punches as well.
Coincidence? Megyn thinks not. “You and I both know that if Obama wanted to stop [Clooney’s essay], he could have, and there is probably a greater likelihood than not that he may have even orchestrated it. So, Obama seems to want Biden gone,” she explained. “I think that’s why he shepherded him off the stage with the arm at the fundraiser. It’s why all of his guys… are out there taking shots at Biden. I don’t think they’d all be doing that if Obama were firmly in the Biden camp.”
The same question about Obama’s meddling was raised on Morning Joe Thursday, with Mika Brzezinski saying the former president still has “a lot of influence” and Scarborough reporting that the Biden team and top Dems believe Obama is behind the attacks. “Joe Biden is deeply resentful of his treatment under not only the Obama staff but also the way he was pushed aside for Hillary Clinton,” Scarborough added.
‘What Did You See, Sir?’
Grenell quipped that he needs someone to “pass the popcorn” because the devolving situation on the left is “juicy” and “brilliant,” but he was also inclined to believe Obama’s fingerprints are all over it.
“Whether or not he was pushing it or approving it is one thing, but he absolutely could have stopped it,” Grenell noted. “He didn’t stop it and all of his lieutenants are piling on, so I think it’s a free for all from Team Obama. They recognize that Joe was not really the best person to put forward, he’s ruining their brand, and I think it’s a big problem for them.”
While Megyn said Obama probably doesn’t want to get “directly involved” in the controversy surrounding Biden, which would explain the use of surrogates, she believes he could offer important perspective just based on his experience with the 81 year old at Clooney’s fundraiser alone.
“He was actually with President Biden onstage… Where’s his account? Why wouldn’t he tell us that,” Megyn asked. “After all, the country is facing an ‘existential threat’ with the possible reelection of Donald Trump. Why would Obama leave it to others to deliver some direly needed straight talk to the nation?”
Ultimately, she had a simple question for Obama: “What did you see, sir,” she asked. “There is an important fight now between George Clooney – one of the largest Democratic fundraisers – and Joe Biden and Barack Obama can settle it.”
You can check out Megyn’s full interview with Grenell by tuning in to episode 835 on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you like to listen. And don’t forget that you can catch The Megyn Kelly Show live on SiriusXM’s Triumph (channel 111) weekdays from 12pm to 2pm ET.