Is there anything more symbolic of a legacy in decline than a presidential library that can’t even get off the ground?
According to Fox News, former President Joe Biden faces a steep uphill climb in building his presidential library, with fundraising efforts lagging far behind the ambitious $200 million target.
Biden’s library foundation has raised only a small portion of the needed funds, receiving no new donations in 2024 and relying on $4 million leftover from his 2021 inauguration. The foundation reported to the IRS an expectation of just $11.3 million by the end of 2027, a pace that pales compared to other recent presidents. This sluggish start raises questions about whether Biden’s legacy project will ever match the scale of his predecessors.
Even Biden’s most steadfast backers seem hesitant to open their wallets for this cause. Many loyal contributors told The New York Times they haven’t been approached to donate, while others expressed reluctance due to frustrations with Biden’s term or focus on opposing President Trump.
John Morgan, a prominent Democratic donor and longtime Biden supporter, delivered a sharp rebuke, saying, “The Biden staff, they ruined any type of good library for him. He’ll be lucky to have a bookmobile.”
Morgan’s biting comment reflects a deeper discontent, as he contrasted Biden’s team with the donor-friendly approaches of Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. It’s a telling sign when even allies turn away, suggesting Biden’s post-presidency influence may be waning faster than expected.
The library isn’t the only Biden-related initiative vying for funds, as the University of Delaware’s “Biden Hall” competes for the same donor pool. Discussions are reportedly underway to merge the two projects, potentially housing the library within the hall to streamline costs and tap into university resources.
This overlap creates a messy financial picture, with the university clarifying it hasn’t transferred any money to the library foundation. A merger could simplify things, but it also risks diluting the distinct purpose of a standalone presidential archive.
Biden envisions a modest library in Delaware, his home state, far smaller than Obama’s sprawling $1.5 billion presidential center in Chicago. Yet even this scaled-back dream seems out of reach with current fundraising numbers, casting doubt on how his legacy will be preserved.
The foundation claims it delayed fundraising to conduct “intensive research,” including visits to other presidential libraries for inspiration. Spokeswoman Kelly Scully told The New York Times, “We continue to be in an exploratory and planning phase,” signaling no rush to resolve the funding shortfall.
This slow approach might be strategic, but it risks alienating donors who expect momentum after a presidency. With Trump already aiming for over $950 million for his Miami library, Biden’s cautious pace looks less like prudence and more like paralysis.
Some speculate the lack of urgency reflects a broader disengagement from Biden’s camp, as if the library is an afterthought amid other political battles. If fundraising doesn’t pick up, Delaware might end up with a token gesture rather than a true monument to his tenure.
Biden’s library, wherever it lands, carries the weight of defining his time in office for future generations. Without significant financial backing, the project risks becoming a footnote, overshadowed by the grander tributes of Obama and potentially Trump.
The idea of consolidating with Biden Hall might save money, but it could also diminish the library’s status as a dedicated historical site. A shared space at a university, while practical, hardly screams presidential gravitas.
In the end, Biden’s struggle to fund this endeavor mirrors a larger challenge of cementing a legacy in a polarized era. If donors remain unmoved and efforts stay stalled, history might remember his administration through scattered records rather than a unified, enduring institution.