It’s not often you see Joe Biden in the same sentence as unity, especially when it involves anything associated with Donald Trump. But on the 23rd anniversary of the tragic 9/11 attacks, President Biden did something no one expected—he put on a Trump 2024 hat. Yes, you read that right. The sitting Democratic president briefly donned a bright red hat with Trump’s name plastered across it during a visit to a fire station in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Now, while I am no fan of Joe Biden’s policies or his constant cognitive slip-ups, this moment offers a glimmer of rare bipartisanship that’s hard to ignore. As much as we may criticize Biden—and believe me, there’s plenty to criticize—this was a gesture that harkened back to a time when Americans stood together in the face of adversity. And for those of us who worry about the increasing polarization in this country, it’s worth taking a closer look at what happened on that day.
A Surprising 9/11 Gesture
The incident unfolded during Biden’s visit to the Shanksville Fire Station following a memorial service for the heroes of 9/11. Shanksville, of course, is where the brave passengers of Flight 93 took down their hijacked plane, preventing an even greater tragedy. It’s a place that represents the best of America—courage, unity, and sacrifice.
While speaking to the first responders, Biden made a gesture that caught everyone off guard. He handed one of his hats to a Trump supporter in the crowd. The Trump supporter, perhaps inspired by Biden’s act, turned the tables and suggested that Biden should put on a Trump 2024 hat in return. And to everyone’s surprise, Biden did it. Briefly, but enough to make headlines.
Trump Supporters’ Reaction
As you can imagine, Trump supporters were quick to pounce on the photo and video of Biden wearing the red hat. The Trump War Room account on X (formerly Twitter) wasted no time posting the image with the caption, “Thanks for the support, Joe!” The post instantly went viral, with Trump fans celebrating the moment as some kind of endorsement from Biden.
One X user wrote, “Sleepy Joe, welcome aboard the Trump Train!!!!” Another chimed in, saying, “Finally hopped on board!” Others called it “the smartest thing he’s done in his entire political career.”
But the truth is a bit more nuanced. Biden wasn’t endorsing Trump, and the White House was quick to clarify that this was a simple gesture meant to promote unity. White House Senior Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates explained that the exchange was spontaneous, saying, “As a gesture, he gave a hat to a Trump supporter who then said that in the same spirit, POTUS should put on his Trump cap. He briefly wore it.”
Bipartisanship or a Gimmick?
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Was this a genuine act of bipartisanship, or just another political gimmick?” That’s a fair question, especially given how performative politics has become these days. But let’s give credit where credit is due. For all of Biden’s faults—and there are many—this was a rare moment where the leader of the Democratic Party stepped outside of his political comfort zone, even if just for a moment.
Yes, Biden has overseen a disastrous presidency filled with poor decisions, weak leadership, and an inability to effectively manage the country. And no, this hat stunt doesn’t change the fact that his cognitive abilities are clearly in decline, making him unfit to continue as President of the United States. But in that brief moment, he did something we haven’t seen in a long time—he tried to bridge the divide.
Why Unity Still Matters
In today’s hyper-partisan world, even a small gesture like this can make waves. Many of us still remember the unity that swept across the country in the days following the 9/11 attacks. Political differences were set aside as Americans came together to mourn, to rebuild, and to support one another. The image of Congress standing together on the Capitol steps, singing “God Bless America,” is forever etched in our memories. We were united back then because we recognized that the things that divide us pale in comparison to the things that unite us.
But that kind of unity seems like a distant memory these days. Biden’s presidency has been marked by deep divisions, from the mishandling of the economy to the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal. And Kamala Harris, waiting in the wings, offers little hope for healing the nation’s wounds. To be honest, as much as I dislike Biden, I fear a Harris presidency even more. Biden may be out of touch, but at least he doesn’t have Harris’s track record of flip-flopping and pandering to whatever audience is in front of her. In many ways, Biden is the lesser of two evils, and this moment of bipartisanship shows why.
The Trump Angle
Of course, Donald Trump wasted no time in using this moment. During a recent rally, he joked about sending Kamala Harris a Trump 2024 hat of her own, claiming she’s adopted many of his policies. Trump has long pushed the narrative that there’s discord between Biden and Harris, and he took this opportunity to stoke that fire once again.
“She hates her,” Trump said, referring to Biden’s feelings toward Harris. “He can’t stand her, but he got 14 million votes, they threw him out.”
Now, whether or not you believe Trump’s take on the Biden-Harris relationship, one thing is clear: Trump will use any opportunity to highlight the weaknesses in the current administration. And moments like these—where Biden’s actions spark confusion and excitement among Trump supporters—only add fuel to the fire.
Final Thoughts
In the end, what are we to make of Biden’s brief moment of bipartisanship? Was it a genuine gesture, or just a fleeting stunt? But one thing is certain: our country is in desperate need of more unity. We’ve seen the damage that polarization and division can do, and if there’s any hope of healing, it will require leaders from both sides to put the country first.
As much as I disagree with Biden on almost every issue, I can acknowledge that this moment was a nice lighthearted step—albeit a small one—in the right direction. And while Biden may be unfit for office, at least he’s not Kamala Harris. That’s something we can all agree on.
We’d love to hear your thoughts! Please comment below.
Jimmy
h/t: Steadfast and Loyal
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