ABSTRACT
Biden believed that public relations is essential for the modern presidency in a democratic society. He used it to inform the public, to empathize with their needs and problems, and to build and maintain support for his programs and actions. Biden established a large communications operation in the White House, consisting of offices that directed traditional and online communications and handled national and local press relations, digital strategy, speech writing and research, and scheduled meetings and events with a wide variety of groups interested in public policy. Biden’s public appearances increased over the course of his presidency with more events at which he spoke and more news media interviews. Trump tended to be less attentive and more assertive in meetings in which he participated. As president, he often indicated his preferences early and forecast the direction he would make. Biden was a more deliberative decision maker.
