Major Biden Allies ABANDON Delaware Library

Democratic donors are turning their backs on Joe Biden’s presidential library, exposing deep fractures and fatigue within the party as his legacy project struggles for survival in Delaware.

Story Snapshot

Major Democratic donors are refusing to fund Joe Biden’s presidential library, citing exhaustion and political risk.
Biden’s fundraising campaign launched with a lower target than his predecessors, reflecting anticipated challenges.
The governance board, including top Biden allies, is struggling to secure commitments as donors prioritize active political battles.
This donor revolt could set a precedent for how legacy projects fare amid party fatigue and shifting priorities.

Donor Fatigue Derails Biden’s Library Fundraising

Joe Biden’s effort to build his presidential library in Delaware faces a wall of donor resistance, with long-standing Democratic bundlers and contributors openly declining to help finance the project. Unlike previous presidents who secured substantial private funding for their libraries, Biden’s team is contending with a donor base worn down by years of high-stakes political campaigns and wary of the optics of supporting a legacy project in a deeply polarized climate. The fundraising campaign’s goal, set at $200–$300 million—far below Obama’s $850 million—signals diminished expectations and the daunting scale of the challenge.

Many donors, including campaign veterans, attribute their reluctance to fatigue and a desire to avoid public backlash from the current Trump administration and its supporters. Some have even requested refunds for past campaign contributions, underscoring the deep unease within elite Democratic circles. The fear of being labeled as prioritizing Biden’s legacy over the party’s future—especially with ongoing political and legal battles—further chills enthusiasm. This dynamic marks a sharp departure from the norm, where outgoing presidents typically leverage deep donor networks for post-presidency projects.

Leadership and Governance Struggle to Overcome Obstacles

Biden’s foundation has established a 13-person governance board led by close allies such as Antony Blinken, Steve Ricchetti, and Rufus Gifford. This board holds decision-making authority, but their influence is limited without willing donors. Efforts are underway to partner with institutions like the University of Delaware and Syracuse University, yet no major donations or finalized site have materialized as of September 2025. The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) will eventually maintain the library’s records, but does not fund construction, leaving the project’s future in the hands of disengaged donors and a fragmented Democratic establishment.

Compared to legacy projects of Clinton, Bush, or Obama—who often announced library plans while still in office and enjoyed broad donor support—Biden’s situation is unprecedented. His one-term presidency and the rapid pivot of the party to new leadership have left his team without the traditional wellspring of financial backing. The governance board’s outreach has so far failed to produce significant commitments, reflecting the strategic caution and reputational concerns dominating donor calculations.

Broader Impacts: Party Divisions and Legacy at Risk

The reluctance of Democratic elites to back Biden’s library carries both immediate and long-term consequences. In the short term, delays and a possible scaling back of the project threaten to diminish its scope and influence, potentially weakening Biden’s historical footprint. For the Delaware community, the stalled project means lost economic and civic opportunities—from jobs to educational initiatives. Politically, the situation highlights widening divisions and fatigue within the Democratic donor class, a signal that could affect not just Biden’s legacy but also future presidential projects.

Top Dem Donors Are Giving Biden the Cold Shoulder on His Presidential Library: Reporthttps://t.co/lBpsnW5avB

— Washington Free Beacon (@FreeBeacon) September 12, 2025

Experts and historians agree that Biden’s plight is unique: never before has a modern president faced such acute donor hesitancy for a library. The outcome will shape not only his legacy, but may also set a new standard for how legacy projects are funded in a post-Trump, donor-fatigued era. As donors continue to weigh loyalty against political risk, the Biden library saga reveals shifting priorities and deep uncertainty about how the Democratic Party defines and preserves its history going forward.