Former President Joe Biden responded to criticism that he delayed dropping out of the 2024 campaign during a live interview on “The View” on Thursday. He maintained that he could have defeated President Donald Trump in a rematch last fall. Biden faced questions about his decision-making in his final months in office, his relationships with party leaders, and whether he takes responsibility for Trump’s victory. He acknowledged his responsibility, stating, “I was in charge, and he won.” Biden acknowledged the challenges of 2024, including the impact of COVID-19 and inflation, and admitted that his administration failed to effectively communicate its achievements. Regarding Vice President Kamala Harris, Biden expressed that he was not surprised by her loss, attributing it to sexism from Republicans. He mentioned staying in touch with Harris as she weighs her future political options. Biden is actively working to improve his reputation, particularly among Democrats, in anticipation of two upcoming books that delve into his administration’s handling of concerns about his age and mental acuity. He has been delivering speeches and interviews to address his legacy and critique Trump’s actions. Biden criticized Trump for pressuring Ukraine to cede territory to Russia, describing it as “modern-day appeasement” that could undermine American leadership.
Biden criticized the current president on various fronts, both within the country and on the international stage. “Let me be clear, he’s had the most challenging first 100 days of any president, and I can’t say that honesty is his strong suit,” remarked Biden about his Republican opponent. Trump has not held back in criticizing Biden through speeches, online posts, and executive orders. The White House has also not backed down from responding to the former president’s criticisms, leading to a heated feud between the two. For instance, the Trump administration is reportedly preparing to release audio of Biden’s interview with Robert Hur, the special counsel who investigated his handling of classified information. Criticisms from the White House have escalated, with White House communications Steven Cheung stating on May 7, “Joe Biden is a disgrace to this country and the office he held. His mental faculties seem to have deteriorated, and it was unfortunate to see him struggle through an interview. It appears he is being taken advantage of.” When asked why Trump frequently mentions him, Biden responded, “I defeated him.”
A continuing concern for Biden is his relationship with fellow Democrats, who are divided on his potential role in the 2024 campaign. Joined by his wife, Jill Biden, on a television show, they addressed the reservations some Democrats have about his ability to serve another term. This includes concerns from long-time allies like former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who strongly urged him to withdraw from the race. Biden mentioned that he exited the race to avoid further division within the Democratic Party. He acknowledged that grassroots Democrats did not support the idea of him stepping down due to his age, despite a challenging debate performance against Trump. However, he emphasized that Democratic donors and leaders were less supportive, leading to a narrative that gained momentum. Jill Biden defended her husband’s decades of public service, rejecting claims of his cognitive decline based on a single debate. She rejected reports suggesting that she had shielded her husband from suspicions about his health decline. Jill Biden expressed disappointment over criticisms from supposed friends.
