Joe Biden looked lost at a Waffle House after his bad debate with Trump on June 27, 2024. A man in a beige suit signaled Jill Biden and helped get Joe out fast. That man was Anthony Bernal, 52 years old. He works closely with Jill Biden as her top helper and also helps the president.

People now wonder if he had more power than anyone knew, especially as Joe's health got worse. A former Biden aide said Bernal had “the most power inside the White House.”

A book named Original Sin said Bernal was rude, strict, and tried hard to make sure the Bidens stayed in power. Two days after the book came out, James Comer, House Oversight Chair, asked Bernal to testify about possibly taking over Joe’s authority, according to the Daily Mail report.

White House review of Bernal?

The lead of DNC David Hogg, 25, said Bernal had a lot of power. Deterrian Jones, 26, who worked at the White House, said Bernal was scary and like a hidden boss that regular people wouldn’t even know, according to reports.

Bernal is super close to Jill Biden. He helped with her clothes, makeup, travel, and events. He traveled everywhere with her, campaign trails, Camp David, their home in Delaware, even her college.

Reports say, they became close friends while sharing champagne and french fries on election night in 2008. He’s the only team member who calls her “Jill.” He joked that he was their marriage helper, and she called him her “work husband.”

Bernal’s relationships, salary, behavior

He was paid the highest salary allowed at the White House, $180,000 a year. Helped Jill get Vogue covers in 2021 and 2024. Was involved in policy advising, not just styling. Maria Shriver said she met both Jill and Bernal to discuss a $100M women’s health program.

According to the Politico report, in 2021, Bernal had a “mean streak” and yelled at people. One staff member said he only cared about himself and that no one really trusted him. In 2024, some staff said he made sexual jokes and inappropriate remarks, as per the New York Post.

One said Bernal called people 10 times in an hour and created a toxic workplace. A source said Jill knew all this but trusted him too much. Chief of Staff Jeff Zients said both the Bidens and the team fully trust Bernal. Bernal also denied the allegations and called them “unfounded”, as stated in the report by Daily Mail.

A coworker said he was strict but fair and truly cared about others. He would check in if someone had a baby or needed leave. He joined Jill for SoulCycle classes, loved cooking and reading, as per reports.

Bernal’s family and education

Bernal doesn’t seem to have a partner. Sometimes, he brought his sister or a friend with him to important dinners. Moved a lot, lived mostly in Shaw, Washington DC. Stayed with the Bidens during the pandemic lockdown.

He grew up in Tucson, Arizona. Mom worked in schools, dad was a county officer. Went to The Gregory School, very academic. He participated in a show called Highway to Heaven when he was 13 years old. In the University of Texas at El Paso he completed his studies in the subject, history and philosophy. Was openly gay and still became head of the interfraternity council, respected even by macho groups, as per reports.

He left the White House and is now director of Joe Biden’s future presidential library. He ignored one past request to testify in 2023, but now he’s being pushed again to appear by June 11.

On Monday, the Trump team started a DOJ investigation to check if Joe Biden could still do his job and if people like Bernal were secretly making decisions for him. Was Bernal secretly running things while Joe Biden faded? That’s what everyone is now trying to find out.

FAQs

Q1. Who is Anthony Bernal?
He works closely with President Biden and is the main helper to Jill Biden.

Q2. Why do people call him the “Shadow President”?
Some say he had a lot of control and made big decisions while Joe Biden was unwell.