PoliticsDr. Jill Biden Recalls Final Moments in the White House, Buying Biden Mementos for 'Full Price' Before They Were 'Crushed' by Trump Administration
The Bidens were in the White House from 2021 to 2025.
Sept. 2 2026, Published 11:41 a.m. ET
Dr. Jill Biden shared that during her final hours in the White House, she was told to purchase any remaining items bearing the Biden name before they were removed and destroyed.
Appearing on Jesse Tyler Ferguson's podcast, "Dinner's on Me," the former First Lady detailed the unusual transition experience ahead of Donald Trump's return to office in January 2025.
Jill Biden was told she had to buy any White House mementos from her husband's presidency before Donald Trump takes office.
According to Dr. Biden, a State Department official contacted her on her final day at the residence.
“Somebody from the State Department called me and said, ‘The last hours we’re in the White House, Jill, is there anything you want from the shelves?’ She was on the phone like, ‘Do you want this? Do you want this? Do you want this?’” Biden recalled.
The Incoming Administration Was Going to 'Crush' Everything
The Bidens had to pay full price for the items.
“Because anything with the name Biden on it, the day or the day after we were out of office, they took and crushed everything. That’s why she was saying, ‘What do you want to buy?’ Because… and buy it full price, by the way,” she added.
An incredulous Ferguson replied, “Full price?”
“Yeah, because Biden, the next administration coming in, is going to crush everything on these shelves,” she explained, referring to the Trump administration.
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'They Warned Me It Was Happening'
Jill Biden was unsure if the Obamas had to do the same when they left office.
“Would this happen after Obama’s administration as well?” Ferguson asked.
“I don’t know,” Biden replied. “But they warned me it was happening after ours.”
“Wow,” Ferguson exclaimed.
Dr. Biden recounted this story while promoting her memoir, View From the East Wing, which chronicles her four years as First Lady, the personal impact of President Joe Biden's decision not to seek reelection and the emotional weight of their departure from public office.
She revealed how difficult it was to record the audiobook for her memoir, noting the intense emotional weight of speaking about her family's public service and their final White House exit.
Joe Biden Wasn't Jill's Type When They First Met
The former first lady admitted she 'couldn't imagine connecting' with Joe when they first met.
She also admitted that Joe wasn’t her type when they first crossed paths.
"He calls me one Saturday and, you know, it was the '70s, and so most of the guys that I dated had long hair, clogs, bell-bottoms,” Jill recalled. “So I open the door and I took one look at his perfect suit and his leather loafers, and I thought, 'Thank God, this is only one date' ... Because I just couldn't imagine connecting with him.”
