Biden to get a pay raise upon leaving the White House

NEWS AND OPINION:

President Biden will earn more in retirement than he does now as commander in chief, according to some noteworthy calculations from a knowledgeable source.

“The National Taxpayers Union Foundation calculated the total pension that President Biden will receive whenever he leaves the White House,” wrote Demian Brady, vice president of research for the foundation — a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization.

Here comes the math.

“While serving in office, presidents are paid an annual salary of $400,000. Due to the two separate federal pension programs that President Joe Biden is eligible for, he stands to collect taxpayer-funded retirement benefits worth $413,000 following the end of his tenure,” Mr. Brady wrote.

“Upon leaving the White House, presidents have generally been financially well-off and are afforded numerous opportunities for lucrative book deals, speeches, or other money-making endeavors. Regardless of the net worth of former presidents, they are entitled to an annual pension equivalent to the salary of a cabinet secretary, currently $246,400 in 2024 and often adjusted annually,” he said.

“There is also a completely separate pension program available for members of Congress. President Joe Biden previously served in the Senate for 36 years and another eight years as Vice President, a role which serves as presiding officer in the Senate, making him eligible for a starting pension worth $166,374,” Mr. Brady continued.

“Biden is eligible to collect both pensions, for a combined payout that could start at $412,774, before any 2025 adjustment of the presidential pension (which won’t be known until late December),” he said.

Find the foundation at ntu.org/foundation.

BACK ON THE TRAIL

Former President Donald Trump and running mate J.D. Vance made their political debut in a rally at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee — which seats 17,500 people. And here’s a reminder: They are headed for another large venue on Saturday as they head down the campaign trail in earnest. Election Day is, after all, 107 days away as of Saturday — and those days seem to be racing by.

The pair’s Saturday appearance is set for Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan — which seats 12,000. The event is sure to warrant much media interest — that includes coverage on C-SPAN, which will air the event at 5 p.m. Eastern time. Find details at C-SPAN.org.

Mr. Trump, in the meantime, is receiving some interesting commentary.

“During the last few years, while he has been subjected to endless harassment by his political enemies in the form of a long list of absurd hoaxes, two baseless impeachments, and countless unfounded lawsuits, Trump has exhibited extraordinary personal strength,” wrote Bruce Bawer in The American Spectator.

“A mere fraction of what he has been put through would have broken all but the very strongest men. All others would have cut and run. Trump, a self-made billionaire who has more than earned the right to spend his later years relaxing, could easily have bowed out of politics after his presidential term was over and spent the rest of his life in the lap of luxury at his lavish personal properties, entertaining friends and enjoying the company of his family,” Mr. Bawer wrote.

“But he held firm. Not out of the twisted lust for power that drives the leading figures in the Democratic Party — the Clintons, the Obamas, the Bidens — but out of a sincere and passionate determination to save the country that he loves and the liberty of his fellow Americans, no matter what it might cost him,” Mr. Bawer says.

His essay was included in a section of the publication called “American Heroes.”

THE COVID PRESS

President Biden’s surprise announcement that he had COVID-19 attracted much press in a week that was already wall-to-wall with political events from this week’s Republican National Convention.

Here are a few headlines of note from the past 48 hours, verbatim from the sources:

“Joe Biden tests positive for COVID-19 at a pivotal moment in reelection campaign” (ABC News); “Biden tests positive for COVID: Here are details about his diagnosis and treatment” (CBS News); “’I’m sick’: Biden uses positive COVID test to take a dig at Musk and Trump” (Time); “How risky is COVID for an 81 year old?” (The Atlantic); “Biden has COVID-19 and he isn’t alone, cases are rising across the U.S.” (USA Today); “Joe Biden’s chances of winning election plunge after COVID diagnosis” (Newsweek); “Biden under new pressure from top Democrats as COVID halts his campaign” (the BBC); and “Democrats call for Biden to step aside as nominee after debate disaster, COVID diagnosis” (Fox News).

And here’s one more, which comes from Esquire: “Of course President Biden would get COVID right in the middle of Trump’s victory lap.”

WEEKEND REAL ESTATE

For sale: Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown’s historic penthouse, in a converted Boston textile factory, built in 1916. Primary bedroom measures 18 by 29 feet; two more “extremely large” bedrooms plus three baths with walk-in showers. Original 12-foot ceilings with original oversized wood beams, state-of-the-art kitchen with steel appliances and shelves, exposed brick walls, generous windows, open floor plan with city views, industrial-style lighting. Spiral steel staircase leads to a private roof deck. Priced at $4.7 million through Elliman.com; enter the phrase “49 Melcher St, PH501” (no quotation marks) in the search function.

POLL DU JOUR

• 57% of U.S. adults think the nation is “very divided”; 64% of Republicans, 56% of independents and 53% of Democrats agree.

• 23% overall say the nation is “somewhat divided”; 21% of Republicans, 25% of independents and 22% of Democrats agree.

• 9% overall say the nation is “somewhat united”; 7% of Republicans, 6% of independents and 14% of Democrats agree.

• 4% overall say the nation is “very united”; 5% of Republicans, 3% of independents and 6% of Democrats agree.

• 6% are not sure about the issue; 3% of Republicans, 10% of independents and 5% of Democrats agree.

SOURCE: A YouGov poll of 4,447 U.S. adults conducted online July 14.

• Follow Jennifer Harper on X @Harperbulletin, on Facebook @Harperuniverse. Have a good weekend.