He’s been known as “Amtrak Joe” for decades, but these days, former President Joe Biden’s train rides are getting more attention for all the wrong reasons.
Despite a long history of commuting by rail during his Senate years, Biden’s return to Amtrak post-presidency isn’t exactly winning over fellow passengers.
From breaking quiet car rules to baffling behavior at the train café, Biden’s weekly rides between his Delaware home and a government office in Washington, D.C. are stirring up confusion—and a few grumbles.
Passengers Say Biden’s Causing a Racket in the Quiet Car
For longtime train travelers, the “quiet car” is sacred space.
No phone calls, no loud conversations—just peace and silence. But apparently, Joe Biden missed the memo.
“He was talking in the quiet car!” one irritated Amtrak passenger told the New York Post.
Despite being a seasoned rider, the 82-year-old former president seems to have forgotten some of the basic etiquette that made him beloved by fellow commuters back in the day.
To make things even more awkward, Biden reportedly asked for ice cream during one ride, only to be told that Amtrak doesn’t carry his favorite treat.
Social Media Reacts to the “Low-Key” Commutes
It’s not just Amtrak regulars who’ve noticed.
Social media users have been posting surprised sightings of the former president, wondering why he’s on the train so often—and what exactly he’s doing in Washington now that he’s out of office.
“He’s just… there,” one former staffer reportedly said, summing up the general sense of confusion.
“They say it’s for his presidential library, but no one really knows.
He’s not going out to dinner or making public appearances either.”
Is It Really His Fault?
Not everyone is blaming Biden for the quiet car chaos.
Some say the talking might be coming from well-meaning fans who approach him during the ride.
“If he’s talking, it’s because people keep coming up to him,” one source said.
“That’s always been a criticism—he’s too soft-spoken. He can’t win either way.”
Still, there’s no official explanation for the weekly train trips, which seem to revolve around time spent in his post-presidency office and occasional calls to Democrats.
A Mystery Around Biden’s Post-White House Agenda
According to insiders, Biden has been working on typical post-presidency tasks like setting up his library, writing a book, and organizing his foundation.
He’s also made some appearances, such as attending a Juneteenth service in Galveston, Texas.
But overall, the picture is murky. “It’s really a mystery,” a former aide admitted.
“There’s talk of the library, but no one has seen progress. It’s just… quiet.”
Health Concerns Are Growing Louder
While Biden’s train rides are drawing public attention, his health has become an even bigger topic of concern.
In May, he was diagnosed with stage four cancer, with reports that the disease had already spread to his bones.
That news came after months of questions about his cognitive health—questions that grew louder after he dropped out of the 2024 presidential race citing age-related concerns.
Former White House Doctor Speaks Out on Cognitive Testing
Adding to the growing scrutiny, Dr. Jeffrey Kuhlman—former White House physician under President Obama—has gone public with his belief that both Biden and Trump should have undergone extensive neurocognitive testing.
Kuhlman, who also authored Transforming Presidential Healthcare, told reporters this month that Biden should have been regularly evaluated with cognitive screening tools, like the MoCA test.
“Anyone over 70 is going to experience some degree of cognitive decline,” he said, arguing that transparency is essential for leaders at that age.
Detailed Reports but No Cognitive Exams
During his time in the White House, Biden received multiple in-depth physicals that included input from up to 20 specialists.
But according to Kuhlman, none of those reports included cognitive tests—even basic ones.
In contrast, former President Trump took the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and claimed he “aced” it, a point Kuhlman had no trouble believing.
“That kind of testing should be routine for candidates and presidents over 70,” he explained.
Where Does Biden Go From Here?
With his public life now more subdued and his health under the microscope, many are left wondering what the next chapter looks like for the former president.
His quiet Amtrak rides and off-the-radar office visits are doing little to clear things up.
What’s clear is that Biden still enjoys a low-key return to familiar routines—even if they come with a little noise in the quiet car.