Biden Memoir Reveals Feud With Democrats and Pelosi Reconciliation

WHO:

The New York Times - Joe Biden is the author of *Promise Me, America* and is described as turning 84 during the article’s publication week.

CNN - Biden discusses his decision to seek reelection, his mental acuity, his debate performance against Donald Trump, and Democratic criticism of him.

CNN - Biden names former Vice President Kamala Harris, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, former President Barack Obama, former President Bill Clinton, Jill Biden, and longtime aide Mike Donilon in recounting the campaign and its aftermath.

CNN - Biden writes that his advisers, including Harris, supported his reelection decision at a White House meeting; he says, “Everyone was in. There was no demurral or dissent.”

CNN - Biden says Pelosi told him there were “no polls that said I had any chance to win”; he describes being furious and says they did not speak for months.

CNN - Biden writes that he and Pelosi later shared an Italian lunch, discussed “life and family and politics,” and returned to “the old rhythms of friendship.” He says, “We had been through too much together to allow a rift to go un-mended.”

CNN - Biden writes that he told Schumer he had “a lot of gumption” for visiting his Delaware home to urge him to leave the race, adding, “Loyalty matters to me.”

CNN - Biden has stage IV prostate cancer that has spread to his bones; he said he felt “lousy” before learning about the cancer and would not have run again had he known he was sick.

The Washington Post - Biden’s memoir is titled *Promise Me, America* and presents his account of the crisis that ended his second-term campaign.

WHAT:

The New York Times - The memoir recounts Biden’s domestic-policy record, including pandemic relief, infrastructure, clean energy, and semiconductor manufacturing; the review says he is defensive about his handling of the Gaza war and his reelection decision.

CNN - Biden argues he was capable of serving and says, “there is not a single example of me failing to handle my responsibilities.”

CNN - Biden says his 2024 debate with Trump was a “terrible night” and argues other presidents received a second debate to redeem themselves, while he did not.

CNN - Biden writes that calls for him to withdraw grew during a three-week period, and that he knew how many Democratic members of Congress and governors had withdrawn support.

CNN - Biden says he decided to end his reelection campaign and called campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon, Harris, members of Congress, governors, supporters, and Clinton; he writes that he did not call Obama.

CNN - Biden says Netanyahu repeatedly promised to reduce civilian harm in Gaza, but further Israeli military actions killed more civilians. Biden writes that Netanyahu made promises he had “no power — or intention — to keep.”

CNN - Biden writes that he was weighed down before the debate by the conclusion of his son Hunter’s criminal trial, presidential workload, and Trump’s aggressive demeanor.

CNN - Biden’s memoir includes Trump’s letter left in the Oval Office and, for the first time, Biden’s own letter to Trump wishing him and his family well and praying for “prosperity, peace and grace” for the United States.

The Washington Post - The memoir makes a fuller case for Biden’s record and his place in history.

WHERE:

CNN - Biden describes a meeting with advisers at the White House, Schumer’s visit to his home in Delaware, and his meeting with Pelosi over an Italian lunch.

CNN - Biden writes that he and Pelosi saw one another at Tatiana Schlossberg’s funeral and later met for lunch; Jill Biden said they made peace at the funeral.

CNN - Biden says his debate with Trump took place in Atlanta; he also cites his trip to Israel after the October 7 attack on Israel.

CNN - Biden writes that he won the New Hampshire primary through a write-in campaign because his name was absent from the ballot amid a dispute over party rules; he cites Israel-Hamas-war protests in Michigan and Minnesota.

WHEN:

CNN - Biden writes that he decided to launch his reelection campaign in April 2023.

CNN - Biden says special prosecutor Robert Hur interviewed him for more than five hours across October 8 and 9, 2023, shortly after the Hamas attack on Israel.

CNN - Biden writes that he decided to end his reelection bid on July 21, 2024; he records calling O’Malley Dillon at 1:04 p.m. and Harris seven minutes later, then Clinton at 3:14 p.m.

CNN - Biden says Schumer visited him on July 13, 2024, to advise him that support within the party had collapsed.

CNN - Biden writes that he and Pelosi spoke at Tatiana Schlossberg’s funeral and had lunch a few weeks later.

WHY:

CNN - Biden says he sought reelection because he believed he could do the job, wanted to continue, had a record of achievement, and was the best candidate to defeat Trump.

CNN - Biden says he remained torn about withdrawing and was affected by support for both staying in the race and leaving it, including a planned letter from Senator Patty Murray and calls from Democratic leaders.

CNN - Biden says he was frustrated with Netanyahu for prioritizing short-term political needs over Israel’s long-term interests.

HOW:

CNN - Biden uses a full memoir chapter to answer criticism about his mental acuity, reelection bid, debate performance, and treatment by Democrats; the chapter includes recollections of meetings, calls, campaign events, and his private dealings with Israeli leaders.

CNN - Biden writes that Harris supported “Freedom” as the campaign theme, saying it addressed individual liberties and constitutional rights as well as abortion rights.

CNN - Biden says he challenged Hur’s characterization of his memory by citing the context of the interview, which followed an all-night response to the Hamas attack, and his public address and Israel trip.

(UPDATED November 14, 2026 01:05 UTC)

Joe Biden’s memoir defends his fitness to serve and explains his failed reelection bid. He blames a disastrous debate and mounting Democratic pressure for ending his campaign. Biden also criticizes Netanyahu over civilian deaths in Gaza and recounts repairing ties with Pelosi.