Revealed: Biden Needed Photo Reminders for Familiar Faces Like Clinton and Schumer

Newly uncovered documents from the National Archives shed light on the extensive preparation materials used by the Biden White House, including palm-sized note cards that provided the former president with photos and basic biographies of prominent Democrats he had worked alongside for decades. These cards, obtained through an investigation into the administration’s use of an autopen, detail reminders for events where Biden interacted with figures such as Hillary Clinton and Chuck Schumer.

One card, prepared for the Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony in January 2025, listed recipients with accompanying images and brief descriptions. It included a photo of Clinton along with the note that she “was the Secretary of State in the Obama-Biden administration.”

This reminder came despite Biden’s long history with Clinton, dating back to their time together in the Obama era, where she served in his cabinet. The same card featured a photo of actor Denzel Washington, described as an actor, director, and producer whom the New York Times called “one of the greatest actors of the 21st century.” Other honorees, like chef José Andrés and philanthropist David Rubenstein, also appeared with similar visual and textual cues.

Another card, stamped “PRESIDENT HAS SEEN” and titled “Judicial Confirmations Milestone Speech,” displayed photos of Schumer and Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, noting their roles, party affiliation, and home states. Biden delivered remarks on confirming 235 judicial nominees that month, flanked by the two senators at the White House. Given Schumer’s decades-long presence in Washington and his close coordination with Biden on legislative matters, the inclusion of such basic identifiers prompts questions about the level of detail deemed necessary.

A former Biden staffer defended the practice, telling Fox News Digital that listing notable attendees and bios “is standard operating procedure for briefing materials.” The staffer added, “Should the staff not have told the President that Chuck Schumer was attending?”

In Biden’s case, these materials align with a broader pattern of heavy dependence on prepared notes, as seen in prior incidents that drew scrutiny over his mental acuity.

For instance, during a 2023 press conference, a photo captured Biden holding a card with a reporter’s question pre-written, sparking debates about potential coordination between the White House and media. Similar concerns arose at private fundraisers, where donors noted Biden consulting note cards for detailed responses to prescreened questions, raising alarms about his ability to engage spontaneously. Even earlier, in 2021, conservatives highlighted Biden’s use of notes during his first press conference as evidence of over-reliance on prompts. While the White House has consistently pushed back, describing such aids as commonplace, critics argue they reflect deeper issues, especially amid reports of Biden’s age-related challenges.

Additional cards from the documents include one outlining family members of director Francis Ford Coppola ahead of the 2024 Kennedy Center Honors, and another for January 18, 2025, greets featuring White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin alongside the Pritzker family, including Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. A fifth card, without the “PRESIDENT HAS SEEN” stamp, scripted a response to ABC News reporter Mary Bruce’s question: “2024: How do YOU view the path forward? How do YOU think about YOUR place in” – though the documents cut off there, it appears tailored for a specific exchange.

These revelations come at a time when the current administration is probing Biden’s past practices, including autopen usage, amid ongoing discussions about leadership fitness. While aides maintain that detailed briefings prevent mishaps in a demanding role, the cumulative examples suggest a presidency where even routine interactions required visual reinforcements for well-known allies.