The Face-off: Joe Biden vs Donald Trump (Leadership Comparison)
Comparing and contrasting their leadership styles
On June 27, 2024, Joe Biden and Donald Trump came head-to-head (or should I say mind-to-mind) to face-off at the first 2024 US Presidential Debate.
In case you have never heard of those two names:
Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. (Joe Biden) is an American politician who is the 46th and current president of the United States since 2021.
Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
There was a plenty of media-frenzy about the debate itself (you can catch the full debate here), but in this article I would like to take a step back.
I will compare these two personalities from an overall leadership perspective based on publicly known facts and observations.
Disclaimer: I am not a supporter of either of these leaders or their parties. I don’t even live in the United States and I am not a US citizen. Consider this a perspective from a global citizen.
#1 — Communication Style
Joe Biden:
In his inaugural address on January 20, 2021, Biden stressed unity and healing, stating, “We must end this uncivil war that pits red against blue.” Throughout his presidency, Biden has used speeches and addresses to promote empathy and bring together diverse viewpoints.
Biden is known for a more traditional, measured communication style. Biden often uses prepared speeches and is less spontaneous or direct.
Donald Trump:
Throughout his presidency, Trump frequently used Twitter (now X) to communicate directly with his supporters and adversaries. His tweets often expressed strong opinions, criticisms of opponents, and policy announcements, bypassing traditional media channels.
Trump is known for his direct, often confrontational communication style. He speaks freely, openly, and in the face, and his supporters admire him for his unfiltered, spontaneous communication style.
#2 — Decision-Making
Joe Biden:
Biden’s decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan in August 2021 followed extensive consultations with military leaders, allies, and other experts to review and assess the situation. He carefully reviewed the implications of the decision, and the possible fallout.
This decision reflected Biden’s cautious approach to foreign policy.
Biden tends to rely on a collaborative approach, consulting with advisors and experts before making decisions. His approach to decision-making is less directive, and more consensus-building.
Donald Trump:
Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement in June 2017 was made unilaterally, reflecting his preference for personal judgment over extensive consultation with climate scientists and international partners.
“I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris,” he had said about the decision.
As is evident, Trump prefers to make quick, decisive actions, sometimes based on intuition. He prefers a more directive approach, instead of a consultative approach.
#3 —Problem Solving Approach
Joe Biden:
Following the January 6 Capitol riot, Biden condemned the violence and emphasized the need for unity in his speeches and public statements. He referred to the day as ‘the day we nearly lost America’ and called for bipartisan cooperation to address national challenges. He followed a similar approach when handling the COVID-19 pandemic and economic recovery.
Based on his statements, and actions, Biden advocates for unity and collaboration, seeking to bridge divides and work across party lines.
Donald Trump:
Throughout his presidency, Trump’s rhetoric often emphasized division, particularly during campaign rallies and in speeches where he criticized political opponents and media outlets, fueling polarization among voters.
His statements on immigration have been particularly polarizing. He once made a comment about Mexican immigrants being ‘rapists’ and pushed for a border wall, which demonstrated his tough stance on immigration but also sparked significant backlash from immigrant communities.
During the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, Trump’s response was notably harsh. His tweet stating, “When the looting starts, the shooting starts,” was widely criticized as inciting violence against protesters.
#4 — Public Persona
Joe Biden:
Biden frequently emphasizes his middle-class upbringing and long career in public service during campaign events and official speeches.
He projects himself as a figure with deep experience in governance, and who is relatable and approachable.
Donald Trump:
Trump’s public persona often highlighted his business acumen and status as a political outsider during rallies and media appearances. His appeal to voters was based on promises to disrupt traditional politics and prioritize American interests over any other.
Through his statements on social media platforms, Trump reflects an image of strength and assertiveness, often highlighting his business background and outsider status.
#5 — Policy Approach
Joe Biden:
Biden’s infrastructure proposal, which was also called “The American Jobs Plan”, introduced in March 2021, includes incremental investments in transportation, broadband, and clean energy. This approach aims to create jobs and modernize infrastructure while addressing climate change.
Biden often emphasizes on traditional Democratic priorities like healthcare, climate change, and social justice.
Donald Trump:
Trump’s tax reform plan, implemented in December 2017, included significant cuts for corporations and individuals to stimulate economic growth through deregulation and reduced taxes, focusing on boosting business investment and job creation.
Trump, through his policies, favors bold, sweeping policy changes. He fouses on issues like deregulation, tax cuts, and immigration reform.
#6 — Crisis Management
Joe Biden:
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Biden emphasized following scientific guidance and implementing mask mandates and vaccination campaigns as recommended by health care professionals and public policy experts.
Biden tends to take a methodical, collaborative approach to crises, seeking expert advice and driving towards long-term solutions. He avoids taking drastic measures as a first response, such as travel bans, but this approach can lead to a slower response to crises.
Donald Trump:
Trump’s administration implemented travel bans from certain countries early in the pandemic and launched Operation Warp Speed to accelerate vaccine development and distribution.
Trump often takes bold, sometimes unconventional approaches, to crisis management. He focuses on immediate, decisive actions.
#7 — Interpersonal Relationships
Joe Biden:
Biden, having been in the public service and politics for a long time, has built relationships with political leaders in the US and globally.
His relationship with Senate colleagues helped with the bipartisan negotiations during his tenure as Vice President under President Obama.
Biden is known for building personal relationships with both allies and adversaries, and values long-standing political connections.
Donald Trump:
Trump, through his actions and statements, has reflected a business-oriented approach to governance.
His relationships with other leaders (both national and international) are often transactional, and he prefers to cut the cord with leaders who are not aligned with his approach or vision.
He is also known for having direct, less diplomatic, conversations with international leaders about difficult and sensitive topics.
#8 — Media Interaction
Joe Biden:
Biden’s press briefings and official statements are typically conducted through traditional media channels, such as press conferences and interviews.
Biden’s press conferences and statements are usually scripted and prepared in advance, and he typically avoids posting policy updates on the social media.
Biden maintains a more formal relationship with the media.
Donald Trump:
Trump is well-known for his direct relationship with the media. He was a prolific users of Twitter as a platform to openly (and directly) share his views and thoughts on policy and governance, and some of these sparked controversy and ultimately led to the suspension of his Twitter account.
Trump has welcomed questions from the media, and in-the-moment responses to those questions.
He is known to maintain an direct and informal relationship with the media.
#9 — Global Leadership
Joe Biden:
Biden’s decision to rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement in January 2021 aimed to strengthen alliances through global cooperation on climate change. This served a signal that the United States will return to its previous approach of international cooperation.
Biden has focused on rebuilding alliance, and working closely with international partners.
Donald Trump:
Trump’s “America First” policy included renegotiating trade deals, and withdrawing from international agreements like the Iran nuclear deal.
Trump challenged NATO allies to increase defense spending, reflecting his focus on prioritizing U.S. interests over global cooperation.
#10 — Leadership Philosophy
Joe Biden:
Biden’s leadership philosophy emphasizes inclusivity and empathy, focusing on healing divides and promoting unity among Americans and the global community as a whole.
He believes in bipartisan legislative efforts to promote a collaborative decision-making.
In a nutshell, Biden believes in a more inclusive and empathetic leadership style, aiming to bring people together.
Donald Trump:
Trump’s leadership philosophy emphasizes strength and decisiveness.
He often portrays himself as a strong leaders who is willing to challenge the status quo, and the current political norms.
In a nutshell, Trump believes in decisiveness, and challenging the status quo through disruptive change.
In Summary: Joe Biden vs Donald Trump
As discussed in this article, Joe Biden and Donald Trump exhibit markedly different, or should I say contrasting, leadership styles.
Biden tends to adopt a collaborative and empathetic approach. He emphasizes unity, bipartisanship, and detailed policy talks. He often seeks expert opinions, and fosters a sense of shared responsibility.
In contrast, Trump leads with a more assertive and direct approach. He often relies on bold statements. He takes decisive actions and focuses on personal branding. He tends to prioritize a business-like, top-down management style.
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