Joe Biden and Donald Trump have called each other the worst people ever.
New Delhi:
US President Joe Biden today blamed jet lag from recent international travel for his disastrous debate defeat against Republican rival Donald Trump.
“This is not an excuse, this is an explanation,” he said in a fundraising speech.
“Taking several trips around the world right before the debate was not very wise,” Biden said.
“I didn't listen to the staff,” he said, “and I almost fell asleep on stage.”
Biden traveled to France, the United States, Italy and other countries over 14 days before taking a few days to rest at his vacation home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. People who observed him during that time said he looked tired.
Joe Biden, always prone to gaffes, appeared to struggle to respond to accusations from former US President Donald Trump during the debate.
Trump slammed his successor as a failure on the economy and on the world stage. Biden tried to fight back but hesitated, speaking quickly in a soft, choppy voice and stumbling over his words multiple times.
This was the first debate between a president and a former president, and both called each other the worst in history.
The 81-year-old president's awkward and shaky performance has led to calls from Democrats for him to give up on running for a second term and to “reflect on his actions.”
Biden's comments are likely to invite increased scrutiny over whether the 81-year-old can handle the rigors of travel and a packed schedule.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre acknowledged today that it was a “bad night” at the debate, but added that Biden “knows how to bounce back” from adversity.
In response to the criticism, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said people around the world were looking at what Biden has done since taking office and not just what it was an overnight feat, and were evaluating his policies.
