The island of Nantucket experienced an unusual disruption during a typically bustling Thanksgiving week. Reports surfaced of a significant portion of Main Street being closed to the public, reportedly to accommodate the Biden family’s private shopping excursion.
This closure occurred on Wednesday, a peak shopping day for residents preparing for the holiday, causing inconvenience and raising questions about the use of public space. The Bidens were enjoying a Thanksgiving vacation at the opulent estate of billionaire David Rubenstein.
Later in the week, observations of the former President sparked further discussion. Witnesses described a disoriented appearance during the island’s Christmas tree lighting ceremony, fueling speculation about his well-being.
An unexpected encounter with Ukrainian women visiting Nantucket led to a curious exchange. Biden reportedly told the group he was actively engaged in “shadow diplomacy” regarding the ongoing situation in Ukraine.
The exchange followed the women expressing their gratitude for his support of Ukraine. He assured them he continued to advocate strongly for the country, despite no longer holding office.
This display of continued involvement in international affairs comes amidst scrutiny of the substantial financial and military aid provided to Ukraine during his presidency. Billions of dollars were allocated, raising concerns about the impact on U.S. stockpiles.
Over the summer, the Pentagon was forced to pause certain weapons shipments to Ukraine, revealing a significant depletion of American artillery rounds, air defense missiles, and precision munitions. The scale of aid had demonstrably strained U.S. resources.
In the final weeks of his term, a massive $8 billion military aid package for Ukraine was announced during a visit from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This was just the latest in a series of substantial contributions.
Since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion, nearly $175 billion in aid and military assistance has been approved by Congress for Ukraine, representing a significant commitment of American resources.
