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.

What does commute a sentence mean? Biden commutes sentences of 37 federal death row inmates

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. 

The Delaware Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Friday, Jan. 17, 2025 results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from Jan. 17 drawing

08-10-37-54-69, Mega Ball: 22, Megaplier: 3

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Play 3 numbers from Jan. 17 drawing

Day: 0-8-9

Night: 0-0-3

Check Play 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Play 4 numbers from Jan. 17 drawing

Day: 9-4-4-4

Night: 3-6-8-2

Check Play 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Multi-Win Lotto numbers from Jan. 17 drawing

12-17-19-23-26-30

Check Multi-Win Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 17 drawing

01-04-06-09-46, Lucky Ball: 04

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Play 5 numbers from Jan. 17 drawing

Day: 5-8-5-7-0

Night: 4-8-8-0-8

Check Play 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

• Sign the Ticket: Establish legal ownership by signing the back of your ticket with an ink pen.
• Prizes up to $599: Claim at any Delaware Lottery Retailer, in person at the Delaware Lottery Office, or mail your signed ticket and claim form; print your name/address on the ticket’s back and keep a copy/photo for records. By mail, send original tickets and documentation to: Delaware Lottery, 1575 McKee Road, Suite 102, Dover, DE 19904.
• Prizes up to $2,500: Claim in person at Delaware Lottery Retailer Claim Centers throughout Kent, Sussex and New Castle Counties.
• Prizes of $5,001 or more: Claim in person at the Delaware Lottery Office (business days 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) with a photo ID and Social Security card.
• For all prize claims, directions to the Delaware Lottery Office are available online or via mapquest.com for a map.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Delaware Lottery.

Can I claim a jackpot prize anonymously in Delaware?

Fortunately for First State residents, the Delaware Lottery allows winners remain anonymous. Unlike many other states that require a prize be over a certain jackpot, Delawareans can remain anonymous no matter how much, or how little, they win.

How long do I have to claim my prize in Delaware?

Tickets are valid for up to one year past the drawing date for drawing game prizes or within one year of the announced end of sales for Instant Games, according to delottery.com.

When are the Delaware Lottery drawings held?

• Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
• Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.
• Play 3, 4: Daily at 1:58 p.m. and 7:57 p.m., except Sunday afternoon.
• Multi-Win Lotto: 7:57 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
• Lucky for Life: Daily at 10:38 p.m.
• Lotto America: 11:00 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Delaware Online digital operations manager. You can send feedback using this form.