PJoe Biden, 81, spoke out after coming under fire for his performance in the first 2024 presidential debate on Thursday, June 27, during a Civic Media radio interview. Earl Ingram Shaw, A preview of the debate was released on July 4th, followed by the full broadcast, and the Democratic leader reflected on the debate.
“Tonight was a disaster. The fact is, I screwed up. I made mistakes,” Biden said. Reflecting on his presidency, he added, “I was on stage for 90 minutes. Look at what I've accomplished in three and a half years.”
Biden sparked concern after appearing to stumble and lose his train of thought at certain points during the debate, which took place in CNN's Atlanta studios and was co-moderated by Jake Tapper and Dana Bash. Notably, after Biden finished answering a question about immigration and border security, Republican front-runner Donald Trump said of his opponent, “I have no idea what he said at the end of that sentence. I don't think he knows what he said.”
read more: Trump claims people told him he gave 'best performance ever at a presidential debate'
Calls for Biden to step down have grown since the debate, with some urging the president to appoint Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him ahead of the 2024 Democratic National Convention, scheduled to be held in Chicago from August 19-22. Some incumbent Democrats also want the president to drop out of the 2024 election before the crucial November vote.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre refuted reports that Biden would withdraw. “The president remains calm and intends to continue the campaign,” she asserted. Biden himself has sought to inspire the nation following his performance.
read more: 'I'm going to fight this race to the end': Biden stands firm amid growing calls to withdraw
The day after the debate, on Friday, June 28, Biden struck a defiant tone at a campaign rally in North Carolina. While acknowledging concerns about his age and his performance in the debate, Biden insisted he was the right man for the job, telling a cheering crowd, “I don't walk as easily as I used to. I don't talk as smoothly as I used to. I don't debate as well as I used to. But I know what I know. I know how to tell the truth. I know right from wrong. And I know how to do this job. I know how to get things done. And I know, as millions of Americans know, that I can get knocked down and get back up.”
