US President Joe Biden faced calls from many Democrats to end his re-election bid, using the Fourth of July celebrations on Thursday to address doubts about his stamina and mental acuity. The 81-year-old Democrat’s shaky performance at a June 27 debate with Republican rival Donald Trump has led to intense scrutiny of his appearances. Many Democratic voters worry about whether he can keep up the demanding pace of work for the next 4.5 years, with some urging him to step aside.
Biden hosted the annual U.S. Independence Day festivities at the White House, including a barbecue for a few thousand active-duty military service members and their families. In a suit without a necktie, he began his remarks with a forceful “Happy Independence Day!” and made no major errors while reading from a teleprompter. However, he did appear to go off script at one point, referencing a World War One cemetery in France that Trump declined to visit, before trailing off and adding, “I probably shouldn’t have said, anyway.”
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As Biden mingled and took selfies with guests, someone called out for him to “Keep up the fight.” Biden responded, “You got me, man. I’m not going anywhere,” reiterating his commitment to stay in the race despite growing calls to step aside. Abigail Disney, granddaughter of Walt Disney and a major Democratic donor, became the latest to call for Biden to withdraw from the presidential election. She told CNBC on Thursday that she will halt donations to the Democratic Party until he does so. Vice President Kamala Harris is the leading contender to replace Biden if he were to drop out, according to sources, though his allies believe he can address voters’ and donors’ concerns.
Among Biden’s closely scrutinized upcoming events is an interview with ABC News on Friday, which will be aired in full at 8 p.m. ET. He also has a campaign rally in Wisconsin the same day. Dozens of Democrats in the House of Representatives are prepared to ask Biden to step aside if he falters in the ABC interview. They see capturing control of the House in November as critical, especially if Trump returns to the White House and Republicans capture the Senate.
Biden faces a new reality since last week’s debate. Even if he doesn’t falter verbally or physically, serious concerns about his viability as a candidate are likely to persist. If he appears unfocused or confused, he will face renewed pressure to withdraw. At 86, Biden would be the oldest president if reelected for a second term. Some former supporters are asking him to step aside to preserve his legacy and reduce the chances of a second Trump presidency, urging a decision within the next four months.
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The White House has repeatedly stated that Biden was suffering from a cold and jet lag on the night of the debate. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized that Biden had not undergone any medical exam since his annual physical in February. However, spokesperson Andrew Bates confirmed that Biden saw a doctor after the debate and was recovering well. Trump, 78, falsely claimed in a video circulated on social media that he had driven Biden out of the race, making disparaging comments about Harris.
In a radio interview with WURD aired on Thursday morning, Biden downplayed concerns about his performance, attributing it to a bad debate. He urged that this should not overshadow his accomplishments as president over the past three and a half years. Biden’s standing in opinion polls took a hit after the debate, with 59% of Democrats in a Reuters/Ipsos poll expressing concerns about his age.
