Jill Biden's Presence at Cabinet Meeting Sparks Controversy on Social Media

First Lady Jill Biden's attendance at her first Cabinet meeting has sparked backlash on social media, with critics questioning her influence over President Biden and the administration.

President Biden's first Cabinet meeting in nearly a year took an unexpected turn when First Lady Jill Biden joined him to speak about the White House Initiative on Women's Health Research. Her presence prompted an uproar on social media, reigniting concerns about her influence over the administration.

Traditionally, the president sits at the center of the table with Cabinet members arranged in order of their departments' founding. However, Jill Biden took a prominent seat at the head of the table, reading from a binder about maternal health initiatives for four and a half minutes while her husband spoke for just two minutes.

Jill Biden's Presence at Cabinet Meeting Sparks Controversy on Social Media

This move has drawn sharp criticism from some corners of the internet. The New York Post reported that Jill Biden is "considered by insiders to be the most influential first lady since Edith Wilson," who tightly controlled access to her husband, President Woodrow Wilson, after he suffered a stroke.

Digital strategist Greg Price drew parallels to this comparison, saying, "She's literally Edith Wilson except right out in the open in a 24/7 news cycle and nobody in the media cares."

Jill Biden's Presence at Cabinet Meeting Sparks Controversy on Social Media

Former adviser to President Trump, Steve Cortes, questioned the power dynamics within the administration, asking, "Who is running the country?" Political commentator Kate Hyde observed that Jill Biden's presence at the meeting, which was the first in almost a year, is expected to be accepted as normal.

Podcaster Tim Young speculated that Jill Biden's attendance may have been part of a deal to have Joe Biden drop out of the presidential race. "She has no reason to be there," he said.

Jill Biden's Presence at Cabinet Meeting Sparks Controversy on Social Media

The co-founder of The Federalist, Sean Davis, sarcastically quipped, "I wasn’t aware that our constitutional system of government bestowed any power whatsoever to the unelected wife of the figurehead president."

The Hill columnist T. Becket Adams expressed concern that a power vacuum has been created and filled by the former ruler's wife, who holds no legal governing authority. Senator Josh Hawley questioned if Jill Biden is the one running the country.

Jill Biden's Presence at Cabinet Meeting Sparks Controversy on Social Media

The White House defended Jill Biden's presence, stating that she was there to showcase their work on women's health research. However, these criticisms reflect ongoing concerns about the influence of first ladies in the political sphere.