Biden’s chief economist, Jared Bernstein, experienced a complex mix of emotions after the 2020 presidential election, including confusion and guilt. In a recent interview, Bernstein acknowledged the cognitive dissonance he felt: while he welcomed Biden’s victory, he also grappled with the pain of those who supported the opposing candidate. Bernstein expressed a desire to understand and address the reasons behind such deep political divides and highlighted the need for empathy and bridge-building efforts to foster unity within the country.