Former President Joe Biden faced an unexpected confrontation regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza while traveling on a commercial flight to Columbia, South Carolina, on Friday. The incident occurred as the 83-year-old Democrat was en route to a rare political event, underscoring the persistent tensions within his party over Middle East policy.
In-Flight Confrontation Over Gaza Casualties
A woman approached Biden's first-class seat during the flight, initiating a brief but pointed exchange. "Thanks for taking the time to talk with me," she began, before directly addressing the humanitarian crisis. "Children in Gaza are dying every day. We need to stop..." she stated, before being interrupted by a Biden aide.
Video captured by Associated Press reporter Meg Kinnard, who was traveling on the same flight, showed Biden responding with a wide-eyed expression. "I know that. I know that..." the former president said, before cutting himself off and looking straight ahead as the woman was beckoned away.
Contrasting Reactions From Fellow Travelers
While this passenger voiced serious policy concerns, others aboard demonstrated more enthusiastic reactions to Biden's presence. The former president posed for multiple selfies with passengers both at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport before departure and upon arrival in Columbia. He also engaged in friendly greetings with travelers at both airports, highlighting his continued public visibility despite being out of office.
The Gaza War's Political Fallout for Democrats
The Gaza conflict proved to be a significant political liability for Democrats during the 2024 election cycle. Biden found himself caught between a substantial protest movement among younger voters—traditionally a Democratic constituency—and his administration's longstanding support for Israel.
This division had tangible electoral consequences. According to polling conducted by the Institute for Middle East Understanding's Policy Project in January 2025, 29 percent of voters who supported Biden in 2020 defected in 2024 specifically because "ending Israel's violence in Gaza" was their top priority. The survey identified this issue as the primary reason voters abandoned the Democratic ticket.
Electoral Impact and Party Reflection
Many Democratic analysts now believe the party's electoral fate might have improved had Biden withdrawn from the race earlier or permitted more robust primary challenges. Vice President Kamala Harris, who replaced Biden at the top of the ticket in July 2024, ultimately lost all seven swing states to former President Donald Trump.
Biden's South Carolina Mission: Securing Primary Status
Biden's trip to Columbia served a specific political purpose beyond commemorating past victories. The former president headlined a 7 p.m. reception celebrating his 2020 primary win in South Carolina, but the underlying objective involved lobbying to maintain the state's position as the first Democratic primary in the 2028 presidential cycle.
The Battle for Early Primary Positioning
South Carolina faces competition from eleven other states vying for the coveted early primary slot. The Democratic National Committee, under Chair Ken Martin, has initiated a process to redesign the early nomination calendar, aiming to create "the strongest possible Democratic nominee for president through a fair, rigorous, and efficient process."
States submitting bids include:
- South Carolina
- Delaware (Biden's home state)
- North Carolina (promoted by former Biden deputy press secretary Andrew Bates)
- Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Tennessee, and Virginia
- Traditional early states Iowa and New Hampshire
South Carolina's Recent Primary Ascendancy
With Biden's influential support, South Carolina supplanted Iowa and New Hampshire to host the first Democratic primary in 2024. This strategic move was partly designed to deter potential challengers amid concerns about Biden's age and polling numbers. Ultimately, only Representative Dean Phillips and author Marianne Williamson entered the 2024 Democratic race.
South Carolina holds particular significance for Biden's political trajectory. His dominant performance in the 2020 South Carolina primary, bolstered by a crucial endorsement from then-Congressman Jim Clyburn, propelled him toward securing the Democratic nomination that year.
Now out of office, Biden continues to engage in selective political battles, with preserving South Carolina's primary status representing one of his current priorities as the Democratic Party reassesses its electoral strategy following recent setbacks.
