How's it going America,
Check out our latest episode of The Pod Millennial! I'm joined by New York Post columnist Karol Markowicz, who discusses leaving New York City, the decline of urban leadership, and the long-term damage COVID school closures inflicted on education. Then I interview Natalya Murakhver, director of the documentary 15 Days, about the political decisions behind prolonged school shutdowns and the lasting consequences for an entire generation of children. Listen, rate (5 stars, of course!), and subscribe!
Let's get into it:
Dr. Jill has a new book coming out. President Joe Biden's First Lady Jill has written a tell-all memoir from the East Wing coming out in June, and her intention, per her Insta post, is to "set the record straight." My question is: does anyone want to read it? And even if they don't, will the Biden's manage to get lots of NGOs and non-profits to buy it so they can make a decent cash grab? First Ladies always get a good book deal, it seems like a door prize for taking on the role. I'm just glad it's not a book about her outfits and hairstyles, like Michelle Obama's was.
"I entered the role of first lady in a unique time in our nation’s history," Dr. Jill said, "in the midst of a pandemic and the shadow of an insurrection. Those days tested all of us—our resilience, our compassion, and our belief in one another—but we persevered. Serving in the historic East Wing was the honor of my life. View from the East Wing is an account of my time as first lady. Parts of this story have been told, but not all of it."
That's the tease to get people to buy it, but let's be honest, there probably won't be revelations about her husband's age-induced mental decline, medical issues he may have had, or indicators of just how in touch he really was with what was going on while he led the free world. We might hear about the pressure Biden was under to "pass the torch," as the Dems said at the time, after George Clooney's famous "get out the way, Joe!" op ed in The New York Times.
"In View from the East Wing," Dr. Jill said, "I share the good moments that lifted me and the difficult ones that challenged me. I also reflect on how this chapter in our lives came to a close when Joe made the unprecedented decision not to seek re-election and pass the torch—what that moment meant for our family and for me personally after years of public service together. View from the East Wing is out on June 2. Let’s set the record straight.”
Announcing the book in 2025, the Daily Mail said "Joe and Jill Biden were considering a $30 million tell-all book deal that could include material from a diary Jill kept during her time in the White House. According to the article, a memoir by Jill could allow her to present the Biden family’s perspective on events, while noting she would likely face questions about Joe Biden’s mental decline, his debate performance against President Donald Trump, and his decision to exit the 2024 race." We'll see, if we know anything about the Bidens, it's that they really can't stand when someone tries to tarnish their image or asks them to face hard truths.
For my part, I've been in New York City for a few days getting some insider information on the UN Commission on the Status of Women. I'm putting together a report for you guys and hoping to get it out tomorrow, so keep an eye out for that. I know we've got a lot going on in the world, the Strait of Hormuz, the Trump tap into the Strategic Oil Reserves, rising gas prices, and some mishegoss with this Trump-backed SAVE Act, but I'm always interested in what's going on with women and girls globally, how their dignity is being protected, and how moms are being supported.
As my son moves rapidly toward adulthood, I must say raising him, being his mother, has been the absolute joy and highlight of my life. It's my hope that all moms and dads can raise their children under circumstances that make it the highlight of their lives, too, for their good, for the good of the kids, and for the good of the world.
Libby