Celebrities who called for Joe Biden to resign

Following President Joe Biden's performance in the first presidential debate, some of Hollywood's biggest names have joined calls for him to resign ahead of the November election.

Biden, who appeared to stumble over a series of confused responses during a live debate with former President Donald Trump in Atlanta, called it a “terrible night” and vowed to challenge the Republican front-runner to the polls and win.

But not everyone is convinced, from film directors Michael Moore and Rob Reiner to Netflix founder Reed Hastings.

Newsweek The Biden campaign was contacted in an email seeking comment.

Rob Reiner

When Harry Met Sally… Reiner, the film director, trended on Twitter on Monday after saying it was time to “stop kidding around” and tell Biden to move on.

“Let's stop kidding around. If a convicted criminal wins, we lose our democracy. Joe Biden has served America with honor, decency and dignity. It's time for Joe Biden to leave office,” he wrote.

John Cusack

of High Fidelity The actor, who is politically vocal on X, reposted Reiner's message, adding, “No one supports Biden's domestic policies more than Rob. He's right.”

Reed Hastings

Longtime Biden supporters, Netflix founder Reed Hastings and his wife, Patty Quillin, have now stopped supporting Biden after donating more than $1.5 million to Biden during the 2020 presidential election.

“Biden needs to step aside so strong Democratic leadership can defeat Trump and make us safe and prosperous,” Hastings said in an email. of The New York Times.

Michael Moore

of Bowling for Columbine The documentary makers said Biden running for president again was a form of “elder abuse.”

“This is about whether he should serve another four days,” Moore said. Rumble Podcast.

“If I have to be the only person standing up for Joe Biden — yes, you heard me say that — if I have to be the only person here standing up for Joe Biden, if I have to be the only person standing up to protect him from the most brutal form of elder abuse that I've ever been forced to witness, then I will,” Moore said.

“That Thursday night he was in immense distress. It was like every cognitive function in his brain had shut down. What would you have done if this was someone you cared deeply about, loved and held dear?”

“Did they really let him on stage? Who would put an 81-year-old on stage at 9 o'clock at night and have a brawl that didn't end until 10:42 at night?”

Stephen King

The horror author, who previously said he joined the Democratic Party in 1970 and is a frequent critic of Trump, also joined calls for Biden to resign on Monday morning.

“Joe Biden has been a great president, but for the sake of the America he clearly loves, the time has come to announce that he will not be running for reelection,” he wrote to X.

Ari Emanuel

The big-time Hollywood agent and Democratic donor suggested Friday that more party donors will turn against the president.

“The lifeblood of political activity is money,” Emanuel said at the Aspen Institute's Ideas Festival. “And as any smart lawyer looks at it, the only way this is going to happen is if money starts to dry up. And I've spoken. I mean, I think you're getting a lot of calls. I'm getting a lot of calls. We've all been sitting there.”

“But if this is, as Biden says, a fight for our democracy… he's said a lot of drivel at us, but it really pisses me off. It should piss us off all of us,” he continued.

“Polls will be released in the next few weeks as the money comes in. I've spoken to major donors and they're moving all of their money to the Assembly and the Senate. I can't believe we're in this situation,” Emanuel said.

He added: “This is now a legal issue. It's not a 'I step down' situation unless the lawyers say something different and there may be some wiggle room. I'm not a lawyer and I've never seen that situation, but we're in a crazy situation.”

Abigail Disney

Abigail Disney, the great-niece of Walt Disney and an activist, told CNBC that she will no longer donate to the Democratic party unless it puts up an alternative to Biden in November's election.

“Biden is a good man and has served the country well, but the stakes are too high. If Biden doesn't step down, the Democrats will lose. I'm absolutely certain of that. The consequences of a defeat would be truly devastating,” she said.

Damon Lindelof

of lost The author wrote an essay for Deadline arguing that no one should donate to the Democratic Party unless Biden pledges to step down.

“I know what my eyes, ears and heart are telling me. I was asleep at the wheel but it's time to wake up…I believe in Joe Biden. I believe in him so much that I wrote him a substantial check just two weeks ago,” he wrote.

“I suggest DEMbargo. I won't write a check, I won't click on the ActBlue link. To anyone. … Would it be wrong to punish an entire team for a pitcher's stubbornness? Maybe. But if he stays, they Also lose.

“A rising tide floats all boats. A Biden fall sinks them. … If they text you asking for cash, reply that you won't give them a dime and won't change your mind until the vote count is down.”