Biden & the Broadway Production of “Othello”

Broadway Joe: President Emeritus Biden Attends ‘Othello’ and Forgets Who’s Othello

The Play Was Othello, What Joe Biden Saw Was Hamlet

​In a recent outing, former President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, attended the opening night of Shakespeare’s “Othello” on Broadway. The star-studded event featured performances by Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal. ​New York Post

During a post-show press conference, Biden mistakenly referenced scenes and quotes from “Hamlet,” another of Shakespeare’s tragedies. He praised the performance, mentioning, “That part where Othello holds the skull and ponders, ‘To be or not to be,’ really resonated with me.” Reporters gently corrected him, noting that the skull scene and the famous soliloquy are from “Hamlet,” not “Othello.”​

This mix-up highlights the complexities of Shakespeare’s works and the challenges they can present, even to seasoned individuals. While both plays delve into themes of tragedy and introspection, their narratives are distinct. Biden’s confusion serves as a lighthearted reminder of the importance of understanding context, especially when discussing classic literature.

Act I: The Curtain Rises and So Does Confusion

In an event that’s being called “Shakes-gate” by absolutely no one except a confused intern at Playbill, President Joe Biden attended a Broadway performance of Othello last night, stunning theatergoers, baffling critics, and leaving Secret Service agents with Playbill-induced paper cuts.

The 46th President of the United States, wearing aviators, an ice cream-stained tie, and what aides called “his good slacks,” was escorted to a box seat where he immediately leaned over to whisper, “Which one is Othello again? The guy with the sword or the one who looks like Chuck Schumer?”

As the crowd erupted into polite applause for the cast, Biden stood up and began clapping for the usher, yelling, “That’s one hell of a coat-check system. Give her the Tony!”

This marked Biden’s first cultural outing since mistaking a Ukrainian trade delegation for the Jonas Brothers at last month’s White House karaoke night.

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Act II: What the Funny People Are Saying

“You ever see a President watch Shakespeare and try to negotiate peace between Othello and Iago at intermission? That’s Biden. He thought it was a bipartisan debate.”
— Jerry Seinfeld

“Joe Biden in a Shakespeare play is like your drunk uncle at a spelling bee. Well-meaning. Confident. Just tragically in the wrong venue.”
— Ron White

“Biden said he loved the ‘second act’ of Othello. There is no second act. That’s just intermission. He thought the coat rack was Desdemona.”
— Sarah Silverman

“I’m telling you, the man saw ‘Othello’ and thought it was a reboot of ‘Lethal Weapon’ on PBS.”
— Larry David

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Act III: Biden’s Othello – A Presidential Interpretation

According to anonymous sources who definitely don’t work in the White House press office, Biden had asked to see “that show with the guy who talks funny and gets betrayed,” which aides assumed meant Hamilton but, tragically, referred to Othello.

“I thought it was about Corn Pop,” Biden allegedly whispered during the opening monologue. “He betrayed me back in ‘64 with a switchblade and a busted jukebox.”

Eyewitnesses reported Biden gave Desdemona a standing ovation two scenes early, confusing the dramatic tension with a Dunkin’ Donuts commercial he vaguely remembered from 1983. When Othello strangled her in the final act, Biden was overheard whispering, “Well, that escalated quickly.”

One theatergoer, Brooklyn resident Lila Patterson, 27, told reporters:

“I turned around when I heard a man say, ‘Now that’s how you handle a filibuster.’ And it was Biden. Applauding a murder on stage. I mean… art is subjective?”

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Act IV: Intermission Diplomacy and Bathroom Politics

Sources say the real drama happened offstage during intermission, when Biden wandered into the women’s restroom, claiming it was “the Senate chamber.” A security detail had to explain that the stall doors were not voting booths and that the flush handle had no legislative power.

Reports indicate he spent several minutes at the snack bar negotiating with a teenage concessions worker over whether Raisinets or Milk Duds had a stronger energy policy.

According to 17-year-old Max Feldman of Yonkers:

“He told me ‘Maltesers are the backbone of the middle class.’ Then he tried to tip me with a pocket Constitution and a Werther’s Original.”

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Act V: Political Shakespeare – An Expert Weighs In

Dr. Samantha Crendall, Professor of Theater and Modern Politics at Columbia University, offered analysis to SpinTaxi:

“Biden attending Othello is the logical next step in a presidency that’s always teetered between Greek tragedy and slapstick farce. Watching him parse racial identity, betrayal, and existential grief through the lens of a 17th-century play is like watching your grandpa try to unlock an iPad using a banana.”

According to Crendall’s analysis, Biden resonated most with the character of Cassio:

“Not because of the military honor or tragic flaw—but because Cassio spends half the play confused, slightly tipsy, and apologizing to people who forgot they were mad at him.”

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Act VI: Viewer Poll — The Nation Responds

A flash poll conducted by PewFatigue Research asked 2,000 Americans:
“What do you think of President Biden attending Othello on Broadway?”

Responses included:

• “Was it a campaign stop?” – 33%

• “Good for him! The arts are important.” – 19%

• “I thought he died.” – 11%

• “Wait, is this the one with the lion cub?” – 9%

• “Othello? I loved him on Dancing with the Stars!” – 6%

• “Stop calling me.” – 22%

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Act VII: Inside the Mind of Biden — A Shakespearean Voiceover

Interior Monologue (Allegedly Scribbled on a Napkin During Scene III):

“Othello… he loved too much. I get it. I once loved a guy named Tony from Scranton. Best hoagies west of the Delaware. But he betrayed me. Switched to Pepsi. Still hurts.”

“Iago… sneaky guy. Probably a Republican.”

“Desdemona… reminds me of that one lady from the Budget Committee. Always asking questions. Never bringing cookies.”

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Act VIII: Jill Biden’s Review — “He Stayed Awake, Mostly”

First Lady Dr. Jill Biden issued a press statement on Instagram reading:

“Joe enjoyed the production immensely. He only asked if the actors could ‘slow down a little’ seven times. And he only called Iago ‘Corn Pop’ twice. That’s a win in our book.”

She added, “We support the arts and believe Othello provides a crucial commentary on race, trust, and jealousy. Joe just thinks it needs more ice cream.”

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Act IX: The Cast Reacts — “We Thought It Was a Prank”

Broadway’s Othello cast issued a collective statement:

“We didn’t realize President Biden was attending until someone yelled, ‘What’s he doing here?!’ backstage. We thought it was a flash mob from The Onion.”

Lead actor Nathaniel Jones, who plays Othello, recounted:

“During my monologue about betrayal, I could hear him muttering, ‘Tell me about it, Jack. You ever hear of Joe Lieberman?’ I nearly broke character.”

Stage manager Marcy Lin added:

“At one point he tried to take notes in a Playbill using a crayon he brought from his coat pocket labeled ‘Legislative Red.’”

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Act X: What Was He Really Doing There? Conspiracy Corner Weighs In

Tucker Carlson, now streaming on Telegram and car windshields, suggested:

“Was this just a harmless cultural outing—or was Biden secretly inserting CRT propaganda into Broadway classics? Was Desdemona a deep-state asset? You decide.”

Ben Shapiro tweeted:

“I’ve read Othello 17 times. Biden thought it was a Fast and Furious sequel. Facts don’t care if your theater chair reclines.”

Meanwhile, Candace Owens called it “another example of geriatric virtue-signaling.”

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Act XI: Biden’s Exit Line — Shakespeare Meets Spin

After the final curtain, Biden rose slowly, turned to the audience, and said—loudly enough to be heard through three balconies:

“Folks, that was the best episode of Law & Order I’ve ever seen.”

He then shook hands with every cast member, mistaking Desdemona for a senator from Connecticut and offering Iago a position in “Middle East Envoy 2.0.”

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Act XII: Helpful Content for SpinTaxi Readers

How to Interpret Shakespeare Like Joe Biden: A Guide

1. Mistake Main Characters for Personal Enemies.

   • Think of Othello as your old college roommate who stole your lunch.

2. Clap During Dramatic Tension.

   • Applaud when Iago lies. He’s clearly working harder than Congress.

3. Use Every Monologue as an Excuse to Tell a Story About Your Buick.

   • Bonus points if you confuse Desdemona with DeSantis.

4. Bring Snacks. Shakespearean drama pairs well with butterscotch and political regret.

5. Reinterpret Soliloquies as Policy Proposals.

   • “To be or not to be” = Student Loan Forgiveness with a side of Medicare.

6. Nap Through Subtext. Wake for Betrayals.

   • A Biden classic. 40 winks, then a standing ovation for deception.

7. Declare Victory No Matter the Ending.

   • “Everyone died? Then we won, Jack. That’s diplomacy.”

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Act XIII: The Ghost of Shakespeare Reacts

Using cutting-edge séance journalism, SpinTaxi summoned the spectral presence of William Shakespeare for comment.

SpinTaxi: “Bill, what did you think of Biden at Othello?”

Shakespeare’s ghost:

“Methinks the man confused our tragedy with a sitcom. But lo! The jest is on the audience, for they paid $200 to watch history unravel.”

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Act XIV: Other Presidents at Broadway — A Brief History of Cultural Chaos

• Donald Trump walked out of Cats, saying “Too many losers. Sad.”

• George W. Bush attended Wicked, then accidentally declared war on Oz.

• Barack Obama saw Hamilton and left a Yelp review: “Finally, a Founding Father who raps like I do at karaoke.”

• Jimmy Carter thought he was going to a peanut festival, but it was Les Mis. He cried. Respect.

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Act XV: Auf Wiedersehen, Othello — and Possibly Reality

As Biden left the theater, he paused for one final quote:

“I don’t know what the hell just happened, but I’m glad America still makes this kinda magic. Now where’s my corn muffin?”

The crowd erupted in cheers. The cast exhaled. The usher quit. And Joe Biden walked into the night, quoting what he believed was Shakespeare but was actually a line from Rocky III:

“The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows…”

And just like that, the curtain fell—on the play, the presidency, and the fragile fourth wall between fact and farce.

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Disclaimer

This entirely human-made article was brought to you by a sentient cowboy and an emotionally available dairy farmer with a minor in Elizabethan Drama. No AI wrote this, although Siri might’ve ghost-edited the intermission snack jokes. Biden’s attendance at Othello may be 17% fiction and 83% nostalgia-fueled speculation, but the Raisinets are real. Always were.

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Transcript of President Biden’s Press Conference Outside the Broadway Production of ‘Othello’

Date: March 23, 2025
Location: Outside the Majestic Theatre, New York City

President Biden:
Good evening, folks. It’s always a pleasure to be here in the Big Apple, the city that never sleeps—kinda like Congress during a filibuster, am I right?​

Now, I just had the immense pleasure of watching a phenomenal performance of Othello. Or was it Hamlet? You know, the one with the guy who’s got a lot on his mind, talks to himself a bunch, and things don’t end too well for him.​

Reporter 1:
Mr. President, can you share your thoughts on the play?​

President Biden:
Absolutely. It’s a timeless story, really. You’ve got this prince—Othello, I think—who’s wrestling with his conscience, seeing ghosts, and delivering those famous soliloquies. “To be or not to be,” that’s the question he keeps asking.​

Reporter 2:
Sir, just to clarify, “To be or not to be” is from Hamlet.​

President Biden:
Right, right. Hamlet. That’s what I said. A powerful tale of jealousy and betrayal. Othello’s uncle, Claudius, does him dirty by marrying his mother after… well, you know the story.​Indian Premier League

Reporter 3:
Mr. President, are you perhaps mixing up Othello and Hamlet?​

President Biden:
Come on, man. They’re both Shakespeare, both tragedies. It’s like comparing apples and… slightly different apples. The point is, these stories teach us about the human condition, about trust and the dangers of listening to the wrong folks.​

Reporter 4:
Did any particular scene stand out to you tonight?​

President Biden:
Oh, definitely. That part where Othello’s holding the skull, pondering mortality—really makes you think about life, doesn’t it? Reminds me of my Amtrak days, staring out the window, contemplating the journey.​

Reporter 2:
Sir, the skull scene is from Hamlet.​

President Biden:
Exactly! And that’s the beauty of Shakespeare—his themes are universal, interchangeable even. Whether it’s Othello’s “out, damned spot” or Hamlet’s “et tu, Brute,” it’s all about the depth of human emotion.​

Reporter 1:
Mr. President, “Out, damned spot” is from Macbeth, and “Et tu, Brute” is from Julius Caesar.​

President Biden:
Look, Jack, the details might blur, but the essence remains. Shakespeare’s works are like a great American tapestry, woven with threads of love, betrayal, and a touch of mistaken identity—kinda like a Saturday night in Scranton.​

Reporter 3:
How do you think the themes of these plays relate to current events?​

President Biden:
Well, take Othello’s jealousy or Hamlet’s indecision—haven’t we all been there? It’s like when you’re deciding between chocolate chip or mint chocolate chip ice cream. Both are good, but that choice can haunt you.​

Reporter 4:
Any final thoughts on the performance tonight?​

President Biden:
Absolutely. The cast did an incredible job bringing these complex characters to life. Whether it’s Othello’s tragic downfall or Hamlet’s… wait, which play did we see again? Anyway, it was a night to remember. Support the arts, folks—they’re the soul of our nation.​

Reporter 2:
Thank you, Mr. President.​

President Biden:
Thank you all. And remember, as Shakespeare said, “Parting is such sweet sorrow.” Or was that Frost? Either way, Auf Wiedersehen!

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15 Observations on Joe Biden Attending Broadway’s ‘Othello’

1. Biden’s ‘Othello’ Attendance: A Presidential Plot Twist

   Who knew that after years in the Oval Office, Joe Biden would find his next act in the theater? Attending the opening night of ‘Othello’ on Broadway, Biden’s presence added an unexpected presidential cameo to Shakespeare’s classic.

2. From State Dinners to Curtain Calls: Biden’s New Social Calendar

   Transitioning from hosting state dinners to attending Broadway premieres, Biden’s social calendar seems to have taken a theatrical turn. Perhaps he’s considering a Tony Award to complement his political accolades.

3. Secret Service: Now Featuring Ushers and Playbills

   Imagine the Secret Service detail, typically scanning for security threats, now ensuring the former president has the best seat in the house and a program in hand. Talk about a change in protocol!

4. Biden and Shakespeare: A Meeting of Minds Across Centuries

   One can’t help but wonder if Biden found parallels between his political career and the Machiavellian intrigues of ‘Othello.’ Perhaps he sees a bit of Iago in some of his former political rivals.

5. Intermission Conversations: Policy Debates or Play Analysis?

   During intermission, did Biden engage in policy discussions with fellow theatergoers, or did he delve into a deep analysis of Shakespearean themes? Either way, the lobby must have been abuzz.

6. Jill Biden’s Role: First Lady Turned Theater Companion

   Dr. Jill Biden, ever the supportive spouse, accompanied Joe to the premiere. Maybe she’s hoping this new hobby keeps him occupied and out of political mischief.

7. Broadway’s Newest Critic: Joe Biden’s Review Corner

   Post-show, Biden could be overheard sharing his thoughts on the performance. Could a side gig as a theater critic be in his post-presidential plans?

8. From Speeches to Soliloquies: Biden’s Public Speaking Evolution

   After years of delivering political speeches, perhaps Biden finds inspiration in Shakespeare’s soliloquies. Who knows, his next public address might feature a “To be or not to be” moment.

9. The Presidential Playbill: Featuring Cameos by Former Commanders-in-Chief

   With Biden in attendance, the playbill might as well have included a section for presidential cameos. It’s not every day that a former president graces a Broadway opening.

10. Biden’s Takeaway: Lessons in Leadership from ‘Othello’

    Perhaps Biden viewed ‘Othello’ as a case study in leadership, trust, and betrayal. After all, politics and Shakespearean drama aren’t too far apart.

11. Audience Reactions: Spotting a Former President in the Crowd

    Imagine settling into your seat, glancing to the side, and realizing you’re sitting next to Joe Biden. Certainly adds an unexpected twist to your theater experience.

12. Biden’s Broadway Bucket List: What’s Next After ‘Othello’?

    Having attended ‘Othello,’ one wonders what other shows are on Biden’s Broadway bucket list. ‘Hamilton’ for a refresher on political history, perhaps?

13. From Campaign Trails to Theater Aisles: Biden’s New Stomping Grounds

    Swapping campaign trails for theater aisles, Biden’s presence at Broadway shows might become the new norm. Keep an eye out for him at the next big premiere.

14. Biden’s Post-Show Reflections: Comparing Political and Theatrical Drama

    After the curtain falls, Biden might reflect on how the drama of politics compares to that of the stage. Spoiler: both involve plenty of intrigue and unexpected twists.

15. A Presidential Standing Ovation: Biden’s Applause for the Arts

    Biden’s attendance and enthusiastic applause serve as a reminder of the importance of supporting the arts, even (or especially) after holding the highest office in the land.

The post Biden & the Broadway Production of “Othello” appeared first on SpinTaxi Magazine.