Jill and Ashley Biden bond on Nantucket beach ahead of White House return

In Nantucket, Massachusetts, on Saturday, November 30, 2024, Jill Biden and her daughter Ashley Biden took a brief, 12-minute walk along their private beach. This outing came shortly before the first family was set to depart the island after a Thanksgiving holiday filled with family bonding activities. During their time on the island, they engaged in a shopping spree in the historic downtown area and attended the local Christmas Tree lighting ceremony, which marked the festive start to the holiday season. The Bidens have maintained a long-standing tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving on Nantucket, a custom they have upheld for nearly five decades. In his memoir, President Biden reflected on his first Thanksgiving in 1975 with Jill and his sons, a memory that has evolved into their annual gathering in this picturesque location. While on their outing, both women were dressed warmly for the windy conditions, with Jill Biden wearing workout gear and sneakers. As they made their way back to the luxurious $34 million home they were renting, a Secret Service agent assisted the first lady in navigating the stairs. This residence, a 13-acre compound, is owned by philanthropist David Rubenstein. The Biden family’s Nantucket stay also included some controversy when President Biden was seen with a book that some critics labeled as anti-Israel. The book, 'The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine: A History of Settler Colonial Conquest and Resistance, 1917-2017' by Rashid Khalidi, raised questions about the circumstances of its purchase—whether it was bought by Biden himself or a family member during their Black Friday shopping excursion. This incident comes against the backdrop of the family’s traditional Thanksgiving celebration, intertwining personal moments with public scrutiny as they enjoyed a cherished holiday on the iconic island.