Biden’s $10M Memoir Deal Sparks Diverse Reactions on Social Media

By NRIGlobe Staff
Published: July 24, 2025

Former President Joe Biden has inked a $10 million advance with Hachette Book Group for his upcoming presidential memoir, a deal that has ignited a spectrum of reactions across social media platforms, according to The Wall Street Journal. The memoir, which will cover Biden’s four years in the White House, has no set release date, with its completion likely tied to the 82-year-old’s health as he undergoes treatment for an aggressive form of prostate cancer. Represented by the Creative Artists Agency, Biden’s deal is notably smaller than the $65 million joint memoir deal secured by Barack and Michelle Obama or the $15 million advance for Bill Clinton’s My Life over two decades ago, prompting varied sentiments online.

The announcement, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, has fueled discussions on platforms like X, where users have expressed everything from admiration to sharp criticism. Supporters, such as user @ChrisDJackson, celebrated the deal, stating, “Not bad for a guy they said was ‘finished.’ Congrats, 46.” Others, however, questioned the memoir’s potential content and Biden’s ability to recall events, with @StanphylCap quipping, “Yes he was paid less, but in fairness, to write a ‘memoir’ you have to REMEMBER things. This may be the shortest book every written… $10 million for a PARAGRAPH!” Such comments reflect skepticism about Biden’s cognitive health, a topic that has swirled in public discourse, especially following his decision to exit the 2024 presidential race.

Critics like @BreannaMorello urged followers to “follow the money” with such book deals, hinting at potential political motivations behind the substantial advance. This sentiment echoes earlier reports from The Daily Mail, which suggested that a joint memoir deal with Joe and Jill Biden could have fetched up to $30 million, with Jill’s White House diary potentially commanding $15 million alone due to its explosive potential. A former White House aide noted, “She could write a very explosive book if she wanted to,” highlighting the intrigue surrounding insider perspectives on Biden’s presidency, particularly regarding his health and the aftermath of his June 2024 debate performance against Donald Trump.

Comparisons to other presidential memoirs have also shaped the narrative. The Daily Mail described the $10 million figure as a “humiliating blow” for Biden, given the Obamas’ $65 million deal and Clinton’s $15 million advance in 2004. Social media users like @seanspicer and @wesbury expressed disbelief, with the latter posting, “You gotta be kidding me,” reflecting a mix of surprise and cynicism about the deal’s value. Meanwhile, Biden’s prior memoir, Promise Me, Dad (2017), which chronicled the loss of his son Beau to brain cancer, was praised for its emotional depth, with Amazon reviews calling it a “beautiful love story between father and son” and commending Biden’s resilience through personal tragedies.

The memoir deal comes amid other financial discussions surrounding the Biden family. The Daily Mail reported that Hunter Biden’s legal battles have left him with approximately $15 million in debt, potentially pressuring the family to capitalize on such publishing opportunities. Earlier speculation about Jill Biden’s diary suggested it could reveal sensitive details about Joe’s cognitive health and the decision-making process behind his 2024 campaign exit, though no confirmation exists that she will contribute to this memoir.

Hachette Book Group, a major player in publishing with imprints like Grand Central Publishing and Little, Brown and Company, has a history of handling high-profile memoirs, including recent announcements for figures like Ozzy Osbourne and Liza Minnelli. However, the publisher has also faced controversy, notably in 2020 when it dropped Woody Allen’s memoir after employee protests, a decision that sparked debate about censorship, as noted by Stephen King on X. This context adds another layer to the public’s perception of Hachette’s decision to invest heavily in Biden’s memoir.

As Biden works on the manuscript from his Delaware home and Washington, D.C. office, the memoir is expected to focus on his presidency’s key moments. Yet, with no confirmed release date and ongoing health concerns, anticipation is tempered by uncertainty. Social media reactions continue to reflect a polarized public, with some viewing the deal as a testament to Biden’s enduring influence and others questioning its value and underlying motives.