Former President Joe Biden is finding it tough to gather funds for his presidential library, according to a report from NBC News. Many past Democratic donors seem hesitant to contribute, citing various reasons like uncomfortable interactions with Biden’s team and lingering resentment over past events.
Some are worried about Biden’s push for a second term, especially given his health situation. Notably, Biden’s fundraising efforts have reportedly struggled since 2024, even before President Trump took office again.
John Morgan, a Florida attorney and Biden supporter, commented on this predicament: “I mean, when you consider Biden’s age and health issues alongside the party’s challenges, it’s like we’re on a collision course.” He mentioned feeling let down after donating significantly to Biden’s reelection campaign.
One anonymous donor expressed a lack of enthusiasm for the library funding, saying they aren’t there yet. Another donor mentioned wanting Biden to have a great library but hasn’t felt compelled to contribute. Susie Buell, yet another donor, bluntly admitted that libraries aren’t typically her area of interest.
The estimated cost for the library stands between $200 million and $300 million, which is notably lower than the $850 million price tag for former President Obama’s library set to open in Chicago.
Chris Colge, the DNC fundraising chair, noted that he has tried to redirect Biden’s team toward focusing more on fundraising efforts for the library itself. However, it’s uncertain whether these appeals for donations are yielding any success. Donors have expressed frustrations, feeling cut off from Biden and criticized his inner circle for shunning transparency about his mental health.
Another prominent donor reflected that Biden’s approach hasn’t left them feeling valued and that issues like age are complicating contributions. They indicated that the situation is going to be far more challenging than expected.
Some donors involved with Biden in the past emphasized that recent revelations suggest his decline and lamented Democrats’ struggles in the 2024 campaign. They urged that it’s time for the party to move on and acknowledge Biden’s long-standing service.
“Democrats need to pick themselves up instead of dwelling on past failures,” one donor stated. They acknowledged the difficulties of Biden’s ending but insisted he deserves a proper foundation and a museum-library to honor his legacy.
Rufus Gifford, who previously fundraised for Obama and Biden, is now leading the Library Committee. He remains hopeful that donors will step up to support the project, emphasizing the importance of preserving Biden’s legacy for the future.
The Bidens have not provided a comment on this situation.
