The re-opening of the Notre Dame Cathedral, which suffered extensive fire damage in 2019, occurred on Saturday, and dozens of world leaders were on hand for the festivities. There was one notable absence, though. President Joe Biden was nowhere to be found.

Instead, Jill Biden showed up with her daughter. That alone spurred questions given the president has long claimed to be a "devout Catholic." Yet, he couldn't be bothered to show up for a once-in-a-lifetime event that other world leaders flocked to? 

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Of course, while the White House will likely claim a scheduling conflict (there was nothing on the president's schedule for Saturday), we all know the real reason. Enter Donald Trump, who was a guest of honor, sitting in the front row next to French President Emmanuel Macron. Does anyone doubt that Joe Biden's handlers (including his wife) did not want the contrast of him meandering while Trump confidently struts around?

I know we're long past any more assumptions that Joe Biden is still acting in charge of anything, but it seems weird that our devout Catholic president is not attending this re-opening alongside other world leaders. https://t.co/JPux7bjvp8

— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) December 7, 2024

That's where things get even funnier. Guess who Jill Biden sat next to? That would be none other than the incoming president himself, and they seemed pretty dang chummy. 

She voted for him. It's settled science. pic.twitter.com/uH9n5eE4sv

— Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) December 7, 2024

Apparently I was wrong. The President did make it after all pic.twitter.com/cRBoX5feyM

— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) December 7, 2024

Kind of wild to see the sitting president chatting up the next Hitler, but here we are. 2024 has never promised to be anything but crazy. 

Seriously, though, this does put to bed all the silly White House proclamations throughout the campaign about "fascism," doesn't it? If Jill Biden really believed Trump was a "threat to democracy," she wouldn't be seen within a hundred feet of him. That's politics, I guess. These people are nothing if they aren't completely inauthentic and willing to say anything to maintain their power. 

I mean, come on. Does this look like someone gazing upon Hitler to you? 

I just want to find someone that looks at me the way Jill Biden looks at Trump pic.twitter.com/cjiER7dWsV

— drefanzor memes (@drefanzor) December 7, 2024

You know, I'm only half-joking when I say that Jill Biden voted for Trump. Don't underestimate the disdain she has long had for Kamala Harris. Those two women really don't like each other, and it's shown in how happy the Bidens seem to be since the vice president crashed and burned. 

Trump is pretty obviously the acting president at this point. He's the one out meeting with world leaders and making power moves while Joe Biden sends his wife in his place. That she spent her time chatting up the incoming president only adds to the dynamic. It's a bit surreal, but also refreshing. For at least a moment, it feels like people are returning to some semblance of normalcy in politics, where people treat each other with some modicum of respect. Will that last? Of course, not, but I'll take what I can get.