U.S. President Joe Biden scrambled to defuse a political crisis over his shaky debate performance on Friday, using an ABC News interview to argue again that he had a bad night, and telling voters he will fight on in the 2024 race despite calls for him to step aside.
Biden, 81, taped an interview with ABC after telling a crowd in a fiery speech in Madison, Wisconsin, that some Democrats are trying to push him out of the race in the wake of his debate against Republican Donald Trump.
Biden cited "a really bad cold" for his stumbling performance at the debate and exhaustion after two trips to Europe.
"I was exhausted. I didn't listen to my instincts in terms of my preparing. It was a bad night," he told George Stephanopoulos in the ABC interview.
The ABC interview was a departure from Biden's heavy use of a teleprompter for his public remarks and as a result it was being closely watched.
Biden said he was distracted to some degree by Trump talking when his microphone was shut off during the debate.
"I let it distract me. I realized that I just wasn't in control," he said.
He said he could not run a race, "but I'm still in good shape."
Asked if he had undergone a specific cognitive test, Biden said he had not and "no one said I had to."
Asked if he would undergo such a test, he said, "Look I have a cognitive test every day" being president.
Biden traveled to Wisconsin, a political battleground state, to rally voters and sit for a television interview that will be closely watched after his debate with Trump prompted some in his party, including major donors, to question whether he can handle a second four-year term.
"We had a little debate last week. Can’t say it was my best performance. But ever since then there’s been a lot of speculation. ‘What’s Joe gonna do? Is he gonna stay in the race? Is he gonna drop out?" Biden said. "Well here’s my answer: I am running and gonna win again."
The president faced a potential new hurdle from within the party ranks, however. Senator Mark Warner, a well-respected moderate Democrat, is inviting Democratic senators to a meeting on Monday to discuss Biden's campaign, a source told Reuters. The Washington Post reported Warner was seeking to ask the group to press Biden to exit the race.
The president told reporters later that he had spoken to at least 20 lawmakers and that they were telling him to stay. Asked about Warner calling for him to go, Biden said: "Well, Mark Warner, to my understanding, is the only one considering that."
At the rally, Biden said he was thankful for the support of his vice president, Kamala Harris, who has emerged as a top choice to replace him were he to step aside as the Democratic Party's standard-bearer. One person at the Madison rally held up a sign behind Biden that said, "Pass the torch, Joe."
Harris posted a supportive note on X, formerly Twitter, after Biden's rally, saying the president had devoted his life to fighting for Americans. "In this moment, I know all of us are ready to fight for him," she said.
But Illinois Democratic Representative Mike Quigley, on MSNBC, called on Biden to step aside and "let someone else do this" or risk "utter catastrophe."
Biden knocked Trump's intelligence and called him a liar, delivering stinging attacks that were absent when he appeared on the Atlanta debate stage. He referenced a comment in which Trump mistakenly said George Washington's revolutionary army had taken over British airports in 1776. "He is a 'stable genius,'" Biden said.
But he had sharper words for those in his party who have raised doubts about his ability to lead them to victory over Trump in the Nov. 5th election.
"I'm the nominee of this party," Biden said.
"They're trying to push me out of the race. Well let me say this as clearly as I can: I'm staying in the race! I'll beat Donald Trump. I will beat him again in 2020," Biden said, getting the year wrong. He followed up by saying: "And by the way we're going to do it again in 2024."
While in Wisconsin, Biden will be interviewed by ABC News, part of a flurry of events over the next week aimed at showing Americans he still has the stamina to run against Trump in the Nov. 5 election.
DONORS, BUSINESS LEADERS, ALLIES
A handful of donors and business leaders are making their displeasure with Biden's candidacy known loudly, halting funding or looking at possible Democratic alternatives. Even some of Biden's closest political allies, including former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have raised questions about his health.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey issued a statement on Friday asking Biden to weigh the decision carefully, the rare Democratic governor not to issue a statement of support in recent days.
"President Biden saved our democracy in 2020 and has done an outstanding job over the last four years," she said. "The best way forward right now is a decision for the president to make. Over the coming days, I urge him to listen to the American people and carefully evaluate whether he remains our best hope to defeat Donald Trump."
Some public opinion polls have shown Trump widening a lead since the debate, while a Reuters/Ipsos poll found one in three Democrats want Biden to quit the race.
A group of business and civic leaders urged Biden to end his reelection bid in a letter to the White House on Friday, a day after its CEO said members would still back him if he continued to run, the Washington Post reported.
The White House has blamed a cold for Biden's shaky performance and Biden himself cited jet lag from back-to-back trips to Europe.
Biden's former chief of staff, Ron Klain, who led his preparation process ahead of the debate, pushed back against donors complaints. "We are the Democratic Party!" he wrote on X. Donors "don't get to decide to oust a pro-labor pro-people President."
Trump's campaign and some of his allies have launched a pre-emptive political strike on Harris, moving swiftly to try to discredit her amid talk that she could eventually replace Biden as the Democrats' nominee.
The Biden campaign has shown no signs of changing course, although the Trump team has overtaken it on fundraising.
The campaign announced it would spend $50 million on a media blitz for July, "including strategic investments around key events that draw in large and politically diverse audiences like the 2024 Olympic Games and the Republican National Convention."
Trump, 78, who made multiple false statements during the debate in Atlanta, falsely claimed in a video that was circulated on social media that he had driven Biden out of the race. He made disparaging comments about Harris in the same video, which the Trump campaign stood by.
© (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2024.
42 Comments
nonu6976
Silly man - he will only get worse as the months go by, this is how cognitive decline works, once it starts it just worsens faster and faster. Same goes for Trump, his occasional word salad and pathological lying will increase as well. You should not be allowed to run for president if over 70.
Roger Gusain
He came across as a grumpy grandpa in the clips I saw on CNN. He's delusional and getting worse by the day. But the Dems can't find anyone else. A second Trump term seems inevitable now.
TokyoLiving
That's not gonna happen...
Biden is a disaster and Democratic donors are already conditioning their donation to change Joe for another candidate..
Money talks..
Get ready for Gavin Newsom..
The only one who can defeat the MAGA gang..
Christopher
Mr. Biden can make all the excuses he wants to make.
I know what I saw and heard with my own eyes. I watched the debate two times. Once focused on him and then once focused on the my parties nominee. Dislike both options for the office of President to the United States. And I know I am not alone. But we got the candidates we got.
Taking politics out of the equation for a second. As a human being.
Joe, you had a good long run. Time to stop . And no shame in it either. None what so ever.
Go enjoy the golden years you have left with the grandkids and your children. You're wife.
You gave us decades of service. Yes, I am a right to middle Republican- Pro bipartisan. And as such and as an American. You're longevity. The so many years of service to our country. Every American should be proud of that. Respect that.
You have been a major pillar in our government for decades. Thank you sir. Seriously Thank you.
However, politics back on the table. If you stay in the race. You will most definitely see Trump back in office.
You will hand the victory to Trump if Americans had to vote today. Its no secret. I am not Maga. I despise Trumps inciting riots on the Capital. He should be in Jail for it. Trump and Biden should both bow out.
How about that? Blindly pick two qualified fresh new candidates. One debate between the both and put this era of radical politics behind us. And allow the American people to decide.
Peter Neil
i blame his wife and those around him. tell him he's done enough in his life. don't run, retire and save him from this embarrassment. it's absolute insanity.
forget newsome. the country does not want to be california. he has no record to run on.
all trump has to say is, "do you want to be like california?'
pete buttigieg is probably the smartest guy in washington right now.
u_s__reamer
Biden has always been a shill for the rich and powerful, but now he's become a shell, too. He's delusional to think he can last as a leader until November in a country with a culture that worships youth and vitality, but it's a common trait of aging men to admit they've lost their mojo and are losing their marbles. He doesn't even realize that he's a war criminal - guilty, guilty guilty! (despite the ICC's cowardice in their unwillingness to call out names and round up all the usual suspects.
itsonlyrocknroll
President Joe Biden to sit down with ABC News on Friday for first TV interview since debate.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_wGkZn0BxA
Joe Biden stumbled, and mumbled again through this interview
Joe Biden to shut this whole crazy media circus down if he agreed to an independent Cognitive testing exam.
End the speculation the genuine concerns, after all Kamala Harris Vice President of the United States is ready to step in?
What a relief for the US people?
Leading neurosurgeon calls on Biden to undergo testing and release results
“From a neurological standpoint, we were concerned with his confused rambling; sudden loss of concentration in the middle of a sentence; halting speech and absence of facial animation, resulting at times in a flat, open-mouthed expression,”
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/jul/05/biden-cognitive-exam-sanjay-gupta
Ben Bumphart
He looks terrible in that interview. The guy is barely alive. He probably went straight back to bed when it was over.
bass4funk
I agree.
I agree as well.
I don't know about that one, the airline industry under his tenure is not doing so well.
Moonraker
Before the usual suspects get into their bickering on this thread, you might have noticed that the mods now seem to cut short any discussion that devolves into that. So, say your piece and leave the bickering to the pub or with your boyfriend to leave space for everyone.
elephant200
I want to represent me and my 1.45 billion countrymen of People's Republic of China, we are solely supporting Mr.Biden to stay four more years as POTUS. After watching the debate of Trump/Biden show, we strongly believe China is standingon the right side of future human history!
PokerNCigars
Great news! Stay in Joe! Looking forward to Trump being back in the White House
u_s__reamer
Correction:
"but it's a common trait of aging men NOT to admit they've lost their mojo and are losing their marbles."
Hiro
They gotta make it into a law that any person over 70 should never be allowed to hold any government positions. And this guy is 81. Is the worst you can ask for as your president.
You will be afraid for him to travel anywhere and you also barely able to keep him awake throughout the day and not even certain if he had remember anything you said the previous hour. Is this really the person who you want having control over the nuclear codes and other important stuff?
TaiwanIsNotChina
It should be obvious that a president with aphasia or even full on dementia is better than one with plans to destroy the government. Sadly no one ever lost money underestimating the intelligence of the American public.
Christopher
Pete Buttigieg vs. Will Hurd. @ Peter Neil. Yes the possibilities of a political face off for the office of POTUS. Better choices. I agree with your assessment. Pete is a smart guy indeed and respected.
Yes, rightly so to blame those around Biden. I could not believe what I saw when Jill said. You answered every question...Knew every....well do not need to go there. How foolish America looked.
nonu6976
to be fair, the US airline industry has been dismal for decades - it needs tens of billions of investment that has been lacking and nobody wants to front up with that money.
bass4funk
So then no Biden. A man that can’t recall names, places and time, needs notepads to keep him on message as well as staff, doesn’t start his day until 11 am and finishes by 4pm and that has the codes of our nuclear arsenal shouldn’t be anywhere near the White House.
And with comments like this is why more Americans feel a blank you to other nations.
bass4funk
Unless it’s the absolute worst news about Trump or any Republicans, hasn’t been a lot recently so, go figure.
dagon
That looks to be the buzz and the K-Hive is gearing up. Kamala has her minuses: her prosecutorial record, occasional policy boilerplate babblespeak.
But she can access the Biden campaign warchest. She is the VP. It would be difficult to pass over a POC and serving VP.
She is polling higher than Biden vis a vis Trump and has room to grow if thrust into the spotlight. She definitely could zing Trump in a debate.
She is not my choice but in the Hobson's Choice politics of the USA she looks to be it.
bass4funk
Thank you, Harry Reid
It seemed like with all these sham lawsuits the Democrats were not willing to accept a win from Trump
Dems were fine in 2020 now they panic?
No, they don’t. When you look at what we have currently.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/dereksaul/2024/06/27/how-the-economy-really-fared-under-biden-and-trumpfrom-jobs-to-inflation/
Relax, the only thing I look forward to is going back to low gas prices, lowering taxes and especially on tips, stop punishing the worker financially, going back to two genders, ending wokeness, a focus on America first, sealing the border and dealing with illegals and backing our police and giving them all the tools they need to re-establish order and the rule of law, keeping us out of unnecessary wars. That is something I deeply look forward to.
She couldn’t, and she won’t be able to save the Dems, she would get hammered by Trump, but that’s all they got, but hey, that DNC wanted this, so…careful what you wish for.
MontiePieThong
In fairness to President Biden, he was debating the most infuriating man in US politics, a proven liar and convicted felon. So exhaustion (it must be exhausting spending time with Trump) and perhaps the old speech impediment kicked in for a while but he's still the better choice, the better human being and a better leader.
deanzaZZR
Defiant and self-deluded more likely. The upcoming Chicago Democratic Party Convention could be as chaotic as the 1968 convention held in the same city.
wallace
Why are Trump MAGA supporters so concerned about Biden if they are sure 100% Trump is going to win regardless of who the Democrat candidate is? Do they have some doubts under their veneer?
If not Biden then it's Kamala Harris with a VP running mate like Michelle Obama would be a great ticket and something for the voters to think about. History in the making.
Jimizo
Which media?
I think you are projecting and getting a bit agitated again.
You may swallow and be ‘assured’ by your media, but not everyone is as gullible.
What media do you follow by the way if you don’t mind me asking?
Chabbawanga
The poor guy can barely survive a whole sentence, let alone a presidential race.
bass4funk
All the polls, and even more and more Democrats are disagreeing with that accusation. I personally blame the mainstream media, they and everyone else with some sense knew Biden was suffering from severe mental cognitive decline and they brushed it off because their hatred for Trump was more important than the health of this man, infuriating and disgusting, I’m not a fan of Biden in the slightest, but watching this elderly abuse and the Dems being complicit in it is just astounding, so everyone has had enough and that debate exposed it, now if Trump would have never agreed to that debate the msm would have still pushed this frail man. The best thing the Dems can do is offer a less toxic candidate that won’t uproot the customs and traditions as well as the constitution of the U.S., run on a platform that doesn’t tax people into oblivion and I guarantee people will start to listen.
bass4funk
Well, the intel agency and DOJ is still under Biden, so….
You should never underestimate any wounded and cornered animal, ever.
Michelle will never get into politics again, she said this repeatedly.
Blacklabel
Yes Joe please stay in the race! Don’t let those Democrats bully you out of what is rightful yours. they are gonna steal it from you Joe, be careful!
As you said, nothing wrong with you except your brain!
You are correct to be proud of the fact that you are the first Black woman to serve with a Black President.
Stay strong Joe, you only losing the popular vote by 6 points, you can still win! It was just a cold and jet lag and that meanie Trump distracting you.
Jimizo
Can you imagine what Biden and Trump will be like in 4 years time?
I doubt they could remember to pull down their zips before having a burst.
Slayer
He just had a bad night. Let him run for President. Um…. yeah….
Christopher
PORTSMOUTH, Va. Virginia Sen. Mark Warner is organizing a group of Democratic lawmakers to call on President Biden to leave the presidential race, according to multiple reports.
Biden last stand to stay in did not resonate.
dagon
Trump is starting to nickname Harris, must be feeling the heat coming on.
https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-kamala-harris-new-nickname-1921304
"Laffin", 'bad' and 'pathetic' seem really weak sauce though .
Well, Biden is not the only one that has been suffering from age-related cognitive decline.
Trump's lack of vocabulary has been yugely evident for ages.
Blacklabel
“Fight like hell” Joe!
don’t let them steal your 10%, you are the Big Guy, not them, never forget!
Who is gonna pardon your son if you lose?
fight until the end, Joe! Great job, you answered all the questions, Joe!
PTownsend
Thw media report what they do for their own purposes, it's up to individuals to decide what to believe for themselves, two of the largest US media corporations are those controlled by Murdoch and Sinclair Broadcasting, what both report has long been anti-Biden, often pro-Russia. They 'assure' us that democracy has many problems that could be dealt with by a handful of the wealthiest backing their own equally corrupt politician controlling rhe masses. Both media giants have been big supporters of Trump.
stormcrow
I still like and prefer Biden, but the public perception has been damaged because of the debate. Time to pass the torch.
Harris would be a good choice. She’s black. She’s a woman. She’s young. She’s a lawyer. She’s experienced. She’s the opposite of convicted felon Trump.
bass4funk
He should get ready.
So is Orange man, bone spurs but hey….
Not Trump, he wanted to take the test and make it public, the Biden camp didn’t. Has nothing to do with Trump, he offered they refused and after last weeks debate we know why.
That’s ok, but he’s funny and speaks like the majority of Americans, and they can relate to that. We had a President that talked big and made people fall asleep. Sure Trump can botch the English language at times, but the guy is funny as hell.
bass4funk
So being black and a woman is important? How about being younger, a man and an Indian? Who’s one of the youngest and wealthiest entrepreneur in America?
Yeah, that last remark not inspiring or convincing at all given her record and as a lawyer and recently a politician. First she needs to learn how to keep her staff and be more friendlier.That’s the first priority, once she has that under control, take it from there.
dagon
The difference is, and why Trump is not funny and dumb, is that this insulting nickname is not only true to fact but illustrates a key weakness and contradiction between the public image and private persona.
It is not a weak insult about some random feature or mannerism or about appearance like 'sleepy', 'tiny'.
It is showing how behind the 'strength' MAGA worship about Trump he did not want to risk his life for his country in war, embracing the flag is just a gesture to the nationalists, he is craven and uses his connections and wealth to get undeserved privilege.
George Carlin would have had a field day with Trump.
bass4funk
I would disagree.
So by that analogy, Dems are weak for calling Trump names, I see, so you’re essentially saying that both are weak for calling each other names…hmmm
Digging a hole there now…
Millions of Americans didn’t.
Can you prove that or is that some liberal grab out of the hat statement?
The way Newsom has done to California?
And Biden as well.
stormcrow
A debate between a criminal like Trump and an experienced attorney like Harris would quickly turn into a cross examination.
Blacklabel
What terrible backstabbing bullies these leftists have been shown to be against an elderly man with poor memory in cognitive decline.
how dare they!