CNN's David Axelrod David AxelrodThe Memo: Warning signs flash for Trump on debates GOP hunts for leverage in revived COVID-19 talks Pelosi says there shouldn't be any debates between Biden and Trump MORE mocked a tweet from former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenPelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' Hillicon Valley: Subpoenas for Facebook, Google and Twitter on the cards | Wray rebuffs mail-in voting conspiracies | Reps. raise mass surveillance concerns Fox News poll: Biden ahead of Trump in Nevada, Pennsylvania and Ohio MORE to former President Obama celebrating "Best Friends Day," with the former Obama-Biden campaign chief strategist asking if it was joke.

"This is a joke, right?" Axelrod, who hosts "The Axe Files" on CNN, asked in a tweet on Sunday to his 1.1 million followers after Biden, a 2020 presidential candidate, wished Obama "happy #BestFriendsDay” on Saturday. Biden's post included a photo of the bracelets he shared to celebrate his Obama's 55th birthday in Aug. 2016.

This is a joke, right? — David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) June 9, 2019

Other pundits also jumped in to rib Biden on the friendship tweet.

Keep pandering, Joe — Joy Villa (@Joy_Villa) June 9, 2019

Biden: Obama’s my best friend.



Obama: Biden’s my coworker. — Jesse Fernandez (@JesseFernandez) June 9, 2019

This can’t be real https://t.co/p5QvVOA1If — Josh Barro (@jbarro) <ahref="https: twitter.com="" jbarro="" status="" 1137554019629621254?ref_src="twsrc%5Etfw"">June 9, 2019

This is a parody account, right? https://t.co/fj8NDZ9xRL — Teri Christoph (@TeriChristoph) June 9, 2019

He's such a good friend that he wont endorse you for President... — Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) June 9, 2019

ADVERTISEMENT

Obama has pledged not to give any candidate, including his former vice president, his endorsement during the 2020 Democratic primary.

Biden is currently the front-runner among the 24 candidates seeking the Democratic nomination, but has seen his lead shrink recently.

A Saturday Des Moines Register–CNN poll, for example, has Biden at 24 percent support, with Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersThe Hill's Campaign Report: Trump faces backlash after not committing to peaceful transition of power Bernie Sanders: 'This is an election between Donald Trump and democracy' The Hill's 12:30 Report: Trump stokes fears over November election outcome MORE (I-Vt.) at 16 percent, Sen. Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenHillicon Valley: Subpoenas for Facebook, Google and Twitter on the cards | Wray rebuffs mail-in voting conspiracies | Reps. raise mass surveillance concerns On The Money: Anxious Democrats push for vote on COVID-19 aid | Pelosi, Mnuchin ready to restart talks | Weekly jobless claims increase | Senate treads close to shutdown deadline Democratic senators ask inspector general to investigate IRS use of location tracking service MORE (D-Mass.) at 15 percent and South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg Pete ButtigiegBillionaire who donated to Trump in 2016 donates to Biden The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - GOP closes ranks to fill SCOTUS vacancy by November Buttigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice MORE (D) at 14 percent.