Biden memoir criticizes Trump's Jan 6 pardons; cancer limits book promotion.
- Joe Biden's memoir 'Promise Me, America' releases November 17, 2026.
- The book details a meeting between Biden and Trump eight days after the 2024 election.
- Biden criticizes Trump's 1,500 pardons for January 6 rioters and climate policy reversals.
- Biden is limiting promotional activities for the book due to a prostate cancer diagnosis.
Joe Biden, 83, writes in his upcoming memoir, "Promise Me, America," that Donald Trump, 80, harmed the nation and the world through an administration focused on destroying institutions and inciting hatred. Biden characterizes the January 6 attack as an insurrection led by Trump to maintain power after losing the 2020 election.
Biden states that Trump’s years of falsehoods regarding his 2020 election loss and the January 6 Capitol attacks should "follow him to his grave".
Biden details post-2024 election meeting with Trump
Eight days after the 2024 election, Biden hosted Donald Trump for a meeting.
Biden describes Trump as both his predecessor and his successor. During the session, Biden intended to provide the president-elect with a broad overview of various matters.
Biden writes that Trump was surprisingly friendly and talkative during the meeting. Biden interrupted the compliments to address official business.
Biden criticizes Trump's policy decisions and pardons
Biden writes that Donald Trump caused deep damage to the United States and the world through an administration focused on tearing things down.
The memoir criticizes Trump for issuing more than 1,500 pardons to individuals involved in the January 6 riots.
Biden also expresses concern regarding Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency and the reversal of policies, specifically those related to climate change.
Biden reflects on 2020 meeting and political history
Biden withdrew his 2024 reelection bid following a poor performance in a June 2024 debate against Donald Trump. His vice president, Kamala Harris, subsequently lost the November 2024 election to Trump.
In his memoir, Biden recounts a two-hour meeting with Trump held shortly after the 2020 election. During that session, Trump claimed they would be friends if not for politics and expressed relief that he did not have to run against Biden.
Biden attempted to brief the president-elect on international relations, including the Ukraine-Russia war, NATO, Israel and Gaza, and China.
Midterm election results and book release details
The Atlantic released an excerpt of the memoir on Monday, November 9, 2026. The full book, titled "Promise Me, America," hits shelves on November 17, 2026. The title references Biden's previous memoir, "Promise Me, Dad," which detailed the cancer and death of his son, Beau Biden.
Biden received a prostate cancer diagnosis after leaving office. He will restrict promotional activities for the book due to his health, though doctors report they are encouraged by his response to treatment.
The memoir arrives following midterm elections where Democrats secured broad majorities in the House and Senate. Democrats also flipped several statehouses, a result the report characterizes as a rebuke of the second Trump presidency.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Biden says Trump’s Jan. 6 actions ‘should follow him to his grave’ (nbcnews.com)
- Biden memoir says Trump should carry weight of January 6 riots ‘to his grave’ (irishnews.com)
- Joe Biden, in White House memoir, says Trump should carry the weight of Jan. 6 riots 'to his grave' (ottumwacourier.com)
- Joe Biden, in White House memoir, says Trump should carry the weight of Jan. 6 riots ‘to his grave’ (mymotherlode.com)
- Biden: What Trump Did on January 6 ‘Should Follow Him to His Grave’ - The Atlantic (theatlantic.com)
- 'It Should Follow Him To His Grave': Biden Slams Trump Over Jan. 6 In New Book (sg.news.yahoo.com)
- It Follows (Wikipedia — background) (en.wikipedia.org)
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