NANTUCKET, Mass. — Joe Biden on Saturday wrapped up his final Thanksgiving holiday as president on Nantucket, a family tradition that this year seems to be part of a broader farewell to his time in the White House.
The Democrat’s four years as president will be bookended by Republican Donald Trump, whose Cabinet nominations, tariff threats and glitzy evenings at Mar-a-Lago, his Florida club, have captured the public’s attention since the November election. Biden dropped out of the presidential contest in July and was replaced on the ticket by Vice President Kamala Harris, who lost to Trump.
During his five days on the Massachusetts island, with its picturesque wood-shingle homes and sea-shelled beaches, the 82-year-old Biden was still dealing with questions of his legacy. He planned to return to Washington later Saturday, then leave for Angola the next day for his only visit to Africa as president.
On Friday, as Biden and his family walked along the quaint brick sidewalks and cobblestone streets that have made Nantucket a wealthy and desirable summer vacation spot, passersby shouted, “We love you, Joe.” The Biden contingent included the president’s daughter, Ashley, and son, Hunter, as well as Hunter’s 4-year-old son, Beau.
When asked by reporters on Thanksgiving Day what he was thankful for, Biden said: “I’m thankful for a peaceful transition of the presidency.”
Biden also said he was thankful for his family, the new ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon and the potential for more progress in the Middle East. The president, who has largely avoided reporters’ questions lately, engaged on a number of matters related to Trump and policy.
He suggested that “razor-thin” margins of power for Republicans in the next Congress will mean that Trump will have to accept “some real compromise” as he pushes his agenda.
“I think there may be a little bit of internal reckoning,” Biden said.
Biden also said he hoped Trump would “rethink” his tariff threats against Mexico and Canada, leading American trading partners.
“We’re surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean and two allies: Mexico and Canada,” Biden said. “And the last thing we need to do is begin to screw up those relationships. I think we’ve got them in a good place.”
Days earlier, Trump had pledged on his social media site, Truth Social, to impose 25% tariffs on both countries until they stopped illegal immigration and blocked the flow of drugs across their border with the United States.
Trump has also threatened an additional 10% tariff on China unless it stops exporting materials used to make the drug fentanyl.
Biden told reporters that Chinese President Xi Jinping understood the value of avoiding any missteps in relations with the United States.
“The one thing I’m confident about Xi is he doesn’t want to make a mistake,” Biden said. “And I’m not saying that he is our best buddy, but he — he understands what’s at stake.”
On Thanksgiving Day, Biden went to a fire station to deliver pumpkin pies with his wife, Jill, and grandson Beau. The first lady told firefighters and police officers that the family has been going to Nantucket for Thanksgiving since 1975, an outing the family has come to call “nana-tucket” in a nod to her central role in establishing the tradition.
On Friday, the Biden family lunched at the Brotherhood of Thieves restaurant and stopped at Nantucket Bookworks, an art gallery and several other shops. Their afternoon ended with the ceremonial Christmas tree lighting and carolers as crowds took pictures and videos of a grinning Biden.
President Joe Biden and son Hunter Biden walk in downtown Nantucket Mass., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
President Joe Biden holds the hand of his grandson Beau as they walk in downtown Nantucket, Mass., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
President Joe Biden, from left, his son Hunter Biden, daughter-in-law Melissa Cohen Biden, right, and grandson Beau Biden, leave a book store as they walk in downtown Nantucket, Mass., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden and their grandson Beau shake hands with members of Nantucket fire department during a visit on Thanksgiving day in Nantucket Mass., Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
President Joe Biden, center right, holds hands with his grandson Beau as they walk with Hunter Biden, left, in downtown Nantucket Mass., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
President Joe Biden, from front left, accompanied by his grandson Beau, son Hunter Biden, and daughter-in-law Melissa Cohen Biden, background center, walk in downtown Nantucket, Mass., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
President Joe Biden, right, and first lady Jill Biden visit shops as they walk in downtown Nantucket Mass., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
President Joe Biden takes a selfie with people as he walks in downtown Nantucket, Mass., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
