Delaware
As Joe Biden rides into Delaware sunset, his sunglasses obsession will be his legacy?
Biden to Lincoln: A look back at presidents’ iconic styles
Biden’s dark-tinted sunglasses have been a part of his personal style for so many years that they’re now an inseparable part of his political persona.
STAFF VIDEO, USA TODAY
If you scroll through Joe Biden’s Instagram, past more than 2,900 posts to his very first photo, you’ll find him doing something that’s unmistakably him: wearing aviator sunglasses.
Biden has been known for rocking this iconic look for ages. From the New York Times to GQ, he’s garnered headlines for his obsession with aviators, particularly those made by Ray-Ban.
As Biden rides into sunset after his last day as president, which ends Monday, Jan. 20, here’s a look back at some wild times that shine a light on his love for sunglasses, including storied moments you may not remember, or even know about.
Joe Biden gifted gold sunglasses to Vladimir Putin
One could say Biden gave (but not threw) shade at Russian President Vladimir Putin when he gifted him a pair of custom gold-trimmed aviator sunglasses during the week he met his Russian counterpart for a Switzerland summit held June 16, 2021, according to the Associated Press.
The shades were manufactured by Randolph Engineering, based in Massachusetts, and the sunglasses were trimmed in 23-karat gold and reportedly cost $299.
Jim Carrey impersonates Biden with sunglasses on ‘SNL’
Comedic actor Jim Carrey, who plays the evil Dr. Robotnik in “Sonic the Hedgehog 3,” had a brief run of parodying Biden on “Saturday Night Live” during the election year in 2020. And Biden’s aviators made a grand cameo. That fall, Carrey made waves when he appeared in a scene that spoofed the infamous fly that landed on the head of then-Vice President Mike Pence during the VP debate between him and Kamala Harris.
In the sketch, a frustrated Biden was at home watching the debate, where he formulated a plan designed to help Harris win. But he had to be careful to avoid getting COVID-19.
“Don’t worry, I’ll wear a mask … on my eyes,” Carrey said, impersonating Biden, wearing a pair of aviators.
Carrey then used a teleportation machine that shrunk him to the size of a bug. He disguised himself as a housefly, while sporting bug-eyed aviator sunglasses. He landed on Pence’s head and acted like he wanted to fight him, uttering the phrase: “Let me at ’em. Let me at ’em!”
Joe Biden does burnout in sunglasses with Jay Leno
It’s not every day you see Biden cruising around in his beloved ’67 Corvette Stingray, which is why it was a treat for Biden supporters when he did so in an episode of “Jay Leno’s Garage” that aired Nov. 9, 2016. Not only that, he did a burnout in the car with Leno as his passenger.
“It feels great, man,” Biden told Leno about driving his beloved Stingray. Although Biden was cautious to say it on TV, he eventually admitted to Leno, “I like speed.”
When the episode aired, Biden was two months away from finishing his second term as vice president under Barack Obama.
Biden said before he married his first wife, Neilia, in August 1967, his dad surprised him with the ’67 Stingray as a wedding gift.
Comic book draws Joe Biden in shades
After Biden’s first year as president, Jill Biden was featured in her own comic book titled “Female Force: Jill Biden,” released on April 7, 2021.
Published by TidalWave Comics, the biographical comic about his wife featured a pandemic scene where Biden is donning his tear-drop aviators with a face mask, while Jill delivered a speech. Even in comic books, Biden was too much of a rebel to show his eyes for an entire book.
Joe Biden rocks sunglasses beside Queen Elizabeth II
When Biden met Queen Elizabeth II on June 13, 2021, he did so with his shades on, which might have been “a potential breach of royal protocol,” according to a report by Newsweek.
The report said Biden was given a Guard of Honor at Windsor Castle and the U.S. national anthem was played. But the 46th U.S. president kept his aviators on as he put his hand up to his chest while standing beside the 95-year-old queen. But the queen reportedly didn’t seem to react badly and shared several moments of laughter.
When did Joe Biden start wearing aviator sunglasses?
It seems as long as folks can remember, Biden has been wearing shades. Delaware’s most famous person began rocking Ray-Ban aviators when he was a teenager, GQ reported in July.
While it’s easy to assume Ray-Ban appreciates the free marketing for their shades from the 82-year-old Biden, it’s unclear whether Ray-Ban ever considered releasing a pair of aviators dedicated to him.
Delaware Online/The News Journal reached out to EssilorLuxottica, the company that owns Ray-Ban, for a comment. But EssilorLuxottica wasn’t available.
Perhaps, EssilorLuxottica is secretly creating a pair of custom Biden shades ahead of the inauguration. But only time will tell.
If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar at alamar@gannett.com. Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at delawareonline.com/newsletters.
DELAWARE COUNTY, Ind. — All lanes closed on I-69 in the southbound direction in Delaware County on Friday morning.
Authorities with the Indiana State Police were dispatched to the 240.5 mile marker on a report of a crash involving a semi at approximately 8:08 a.m.
All lanes are now open.
Pennrose and JPMorganChase help neighborhoods – and residents – thrive.
Finding an affordable place to live continues to be a challenge for many as widespread housing shortages persist across the U.S. Rising home prices and high interest rates have made homeownership inaccessible for a large portion of the population. Meanwhile, as rental demand increases, the number of renters facing affordability challenges is also on the rise.
The State of the Nation’s Housing 2025 by Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies reveals that cost burdens for renters reached another record high in 2023. Similarly, the JPMorganChase Institute reports that renter affordability is declining and forcing people to devote more of their take-home pay to housing costs. There is a growing need for affordable housing across the U.S., and that rings true here in Wilmington.
To close that gap, it’s essential that all Wilmington residents share in its growth with housing options that accommodate a range of needs and budgets. For the Pennrose real estate firm, this meant delivering a concrete solution to the local community, resulting in housing for individuals and families who otherwise might not have been able to live in the area.
Reinvesting in Wilmington’s Riverside
In Wilmington, the Riverside redevelopment initiative is focused on neighborhood stability at a scale that can be felt across generations – bringing housing, education and community resources together so families can remain rooted and move forward. Imani Village, developed by Pennrose in partnership with the Wilmington Housing Authority and nonprofit community organization REACH Riverside and constructed with support from JPMorganChase, is part of this broader effort, which is expected to create more than 600 high-quality, mixed-income homes while also enhancing and expanding EastSide Charter School and Kingswood Community Center to help establish a “cradle to college/career readiness education pipeline.”
By tying new housing to strengthened local institutions, the redevelopment aims to reduce the pressure that forces families to relocate and instead keep children closer to school, neighbors closer to one another and residents connected to the services that help them thrive. In practical terms, Imani Village represents not just additional homes, but a commitment to building a neighborhood where opportunity is easier to access and easier to keep.
“We’re proud of the far-reaching impact this project will have. It reflects Pennrose’s mission to uplift our communities and expand the supply of high-quality, affordable homes,” said Brett Macleod, Community Development Banking, J.P. Morgan. “Every additional housing unit matters – and increasing the number that are affordable is critical.”
A broader commitment to Wilmington’s future
While Imani Village is foundational, the vibrancy of a community depends on much more. In Delaware, the firm provides banking services to 215,000 customers and works across sectors to expand economic opportunity. Over the last five years, JPMorganChase has invested more than $25 million in local nonprofit organizations, supported 25,000 small business clients and delivered financial health education to thousands of residents to broaden access to banking, financial health resources, homeownership and other wealth-building tools.
“As we work with local stakeholders to expand housing options, JPMorganChase’s goal is to create inclusive economic opportunity for all,” said Don Mell, Location Management, Americas East Region Lead and member of the Delaware & Philadelphia Market Leadership Team at JPMorganChase. “When our communities thrive, we all thrive.”
Learn more about affordable housing and community development at jpmorgan.com/commercial-real-estate.
Read more from Spotlight Delaware
-
Washington, D.C2 minutes agoDupont Circle closed for Pride weekend as National Park Service erects fences
-
Cleveland, OH5 minutes agoWoman killed, several children injured in Ohio Turnpike crash in Lorain County
-
Austin, TX9 minutes agoScrewworm medications straining animal shelter budgets across Texas
-
Alabama11 minutes agoLate nights, Father’s day deals and fireworks at Alabama Adventure
-
Alaska17 minutes agoIt’s the Alaska Legislature’s last day in special session. Here’s the latest.
-
Arizona25 minutes agoNew tractors help University of Arizona modernize farming in Yuma
-
Arkansas32 minutes agoAuthorities report 2 Tulsa residents found dead in Arkansas from apparent murder-suicide
-
California35 minutes ago2 Northern California universities made U.S. News ‘Best Global’ list
