Staff Reports
President Joe Biden’s upcoming jaunt to Belas, Angola, is being framed as a grand celebration of U.S.-Angolan relations. Scheduled for a prime-time slot at around 11:45 a.m., this will mark Biden’s first and only pilgrimage to the continent of Africa during his presidency. Ah yes, nothing like a single trip to cover a vast continent full of diverse nations—who needs to understand them all when a single photo op will do?
The White House is making sure to polish Biden’s trip with some heavy rhetoric. They’re talking about confronting “past horrors of slavery” while simultaneously conjuring dreams of a bright future buzzing with “deepening collaboration.” It almost sounds like a political version of a Hallmark greeting card, where nostalgia and hope are served up in equal measure, but without actually addressing any real specifics. Perhaps the president believes that simply acknowledging historical injustices will magically fix ongoing problems and lead to prosperity overnight.
Critics might wonder why Biden is only making this one stop in Africa, a continent that holds enormous potential for investment and partnership. Perhaps instead of jetting off to Angola, he should consider a virtual town hall with American constituents left grappling with inflation and economic woes. Still, there’s a certain charm in Biden’s affinity for high-minded rhetoric, when most average Americans are just trying to figure out how to afford groceries.
WATCH LIVE: Biden honors US-Angola relationship https://t.co/17prIUxIxK
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) December 3, 2024
One has to appreciate the irony of a leader who consistently stumbles over his words now trying to convey a profound commitment to African nations. While depth and nuance would be ideal, all indications suggest that the carefully scripted remarks will prioritize feel-good platitudes over actionable commitments. This is certainly a unique approach to diplomacy—marinating in history while sidestepping the present challenges.
As Biden teeters on the international stage—mixed with both an eye-roll-inducing optimism and a splash of confusion—conservative observers will be left wondering what his actual plan entails. One trip, a lot of lofty language, and no tangible results to show for it. Sounds like an investment in making headlines rather than making a difference. At this rate, the only bright future on the horizon may just be the sun setting on yet another diplomatic photo opportunity, while real issues regarding governance and economic stability continue to simmer beneath the surface.
