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As Joe Biden rides into Delaware sunset, his sunglasses obsession will be his legacy?

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As Joe Biden rides into Delaware sunset, his sunglasses obsession will be his legacy?


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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.

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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.

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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!”

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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.

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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

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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.

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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. 





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Delaware

Elon Musk-Led Overhaul of Delaware Business Law Upheld by State Court

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Elon Musk-Led Overhaul of Delaware Business Law Upheld by State Court


The Delaware Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of an Elon Musk-inspired overhaul of state law that governs most major US corporations, handing a win to company founders, insiders and private equity owners who sought less restrictive business rules.



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Delaware County school employee accused of sex assault of minor in Texas

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Delaware County school employee accused of sex assault of minor in Texas


Authorities say a Delaware County school employee is accused of traveling to Texas to sexually assault a minor he met online.

What we know:

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Michael Robinson, 43, was taken into custody near Radnor Middle School where investigators say he worked as a paraprofessional.

Investigators believe Robinson traveled to Tyler, Texas in the summer of 2024 to meet a minor he had connected with online.

Robinson, according to U.S. Marshals, allegedly sexually assaulted the teen over the course of a weekend. 

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Delaware County school employee accused of sex assault of minor in Texas

Prosecutors in Smith County, Texas charged Robinson in December with Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child Under 15-years-old.

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Robinson is being held at a Delaware County jail where he is awaiting extradition to Texas.

What they’re saying:

U.S. Marshals in Pennsylvania said Robinson’s arrest shows that “sexual predators will always be pursued relentlessly.”

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The Radnor Township School District said Robinson has been placed on leave and will not have contact with students.

“Parents of the limited number of children to whom the employee was assigned were contacted by the administration immediately.”

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The district said it is cooperating with law enforcement and has “no information indicating misconduct involving district students.”

Crime & Public SafetyDelaware CountyNews



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Rehoboth cancels 2026 Polar Bear Plunge after major snowstorm

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Rehoboth cancels 2026 Polar Bear Plunge after major snowstorm


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Rehoboth Beach has canceled the upcoming 2026 Lewes Polar Bear Plunge and 5K Run to the Plunge as the Sussex County resort town continues dealing with the aftermath of last weekend’s snowstorm, organizers of the annual Special Olympics fundraiser said on Feb. 26.

“Rehoboth Beach is navigating significant challenges because of the snowstorm,” a Special Olympics Delaware email announced. “At present, the boardwalk and all beach crossings remain snow covered and many sidewalks throughout downtown Rehoboth are as well.”

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The plunge and 5K had been rescheduled to March 1 after severe weather conditions in late January caused it to be moved from its original Feb. 1 date.

The plunge will not be rescheduled for this year.

Last weekend’s storm brought nearly 2 feet of snow to parts of Sussex, closing hundreds of roads when trees and wires were downed. There were also power outages across the county, including Rehoboth Beach which had to restore power to its wastewater treatment facility.

Plunging for a cause

The polar bear plunge is one of Special Olympics Delaware’s more popular fundraisers, drawing more than 4,000 participants last year.

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In recent years, the event has been bringing in more than a million dollars for Special Olympics Delaware. Last year, plunge events drew $1.3 million, just shy of the record-breaking $1.5 million raised in 2024.

Alex Seymore, Special Olympics Delaware’s director of digital media, said the organization had already raised more than $1 million from this year’s event.

“We expect a small impact,” Seymore told Delaware Online/The News Journal. “But again, we’re showing that we’ve raised over a million dollars.

He added they are reviewing how the cancelation will impact them and their services.

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“It’s been just a couple hours, so we’re not completely positive how it will impact things in the long run,” he said. “We’re thankful for everybody that’s helped raise this money through this time.”

What is still occurring

While the plunge and 5k and been canceled this year, there are other indoor events that will continue as scheduled:

Feb. 27

  • 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. – pick up packets and souvenir sales for the Plunge and 5K Run to the Plunge at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, 229 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach.

Feb. 28

  • noon to 2 p.m. ​Fire & Ice in the Atlantic Sands Ballroom, 1 Baltimore Ave, Rehoboth Beach.
  • 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Restaurant chili contest.
  • 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. – pick up packets and souvenir sales for the Plunge and 5K Run to the Plunge at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, 229 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach.

Send tips or story ideas to Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299 or eparra@delawareonline.com.



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