Did We Misunderstand Joe Biden?

“He was always hugging someone.”
That was a familiar line during Joe Biden’s presidency. On stages, in town halls, at memorials—Biden didn’t just shake hands. He embraced. He leaned in. He squeezed shoulders. And to some, it felt… a little much.

Critics called it old-fashioned, overly familiar—even awkward. But was it actually something deeper?

🤝 The Hug Had Science Behind It

During his time in office, Biden’s touch-heavy style often stood out in a world growing increasingly hands-off. But science had his back—literally.

Studies showed that hugging triggers the release of oxytocin, a chemical that lowers stress and enhances connection. It also plays a role in reducing cortisol and blood pressure—especially powerful effects for older adults.

“Warm partner contact is related to lower blood pressure and cortisol.”
— Grewen et al., Psychosomatic Medicine, 2003

This wasn’t just sentimental behavior. It aligned with how humans, especially in later stages of life, maintained emotional wellness. Biden’s actions echoed what research confirmed: touch matters more as we age.

👴 Touch Was Generational, Not Just Personal

Born in 1942, Biden belonged to a generation raised on face-to-face conversation, in-person comfort, and physical reassurance. For him, a hug was how you said “I care,” “I hear you,” or “You matter.”

Modern generations—especially Gen Z and Millennials—tended to communicate digitally. DMs. Emojis. Voice notes. Physical affection in public? Not always the vibe. So when Biden went in for the hug, it sometimes clashed with newer social expectations.

But that didn’t make him outdated. It made him consistent with his cohort.

“Older adults place higher value on affectionate physical contact, especially as social networks shrink with age.”
— Segrin, Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 2019

He wasn’t trying to be performative. He was trying to connect—in the only way he truly knew how.

👀 We May Have Read It All Wrong

In the age of polished image control, Biden’s warmth could feel disarming—even confusing. While others kept things transactional, he insisted on making things personal.

The optics were analyzed, memes were made, critics wrote columns. But what if those hugs were never political statements? What if they were just… human ones?

“Touch is one of the most powerful tools in non-verbal communication, capable of conveying safety, empathy, and closeness.”
— Gallace & Spence, Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 2010

💬 Final Thought: Maybe It Wasn’t Biden Who Was Out of Touch

Maybe we were. In a hyper-connected world full of distant interactions, a president who physically showed up might’ve just felt unfamiliar.

But unfamiliar doesn’t mean wrong.

Joe Biden hugged people. A lot. And maybe, behind the jokes and jabs, that was his way of reminding us what leadership looked like before everything became a screen.