First time in two years It's been weeks since Joe Biden's disastrous debate performance with President Donald Trump. Despite his campaign's best efforts, concerns about Biden's health and mental state remain, with many Democratic lawmakers, celebrities, donors and members of the media calling for him to drop out of the race.
The president has so far remained defiant, publishing an open letter on Monday slamming his critics and insisting that he is “determined to stay in this race, fight to the end and defeat Donald Trump.”
“Only the voters will decide who the Democratic nominee is,” Biden wrote. “The question of how to proceed has been debated for over a week now, and it's time for it to end. We have one job: to defeat Donald Trump.”
While Biden and his campaign hope Democrats will comply and pledge their support for the president, there are growing calls for Biden to withdraw from the race and replace him with a younger, more capable candidate.
Several prominent figures inside and outside of politics have expressed concern about the 81-year-old president seeking a second term or have openly argued that Biden should retire.
Senator
One Democratic senator explicitly called for Biden to resign. Peter Welch (Democrat, Vermont) I did The Washington Post Welch published an op-ed on Wednesday. “In the interest of our nation, I urge President Biden to withdraw from the race,” he wrote, adding, “Put us first.”
Several other Democratic senators have also suggested Biden should take his seat.
Michael Bennet (Democrat, Colorado) “Donald Trump is going to win this election, probably in a landslide victory, take control of the Senate and the House of Representatives,” he told CNN.
“I am deeply concerned that Joe Biden will win in November.” Richard Blumenthal (Democrat, Connecticut) “We have to reach a conclusion” about what to do “as soon as possible,” he added to reporters.
Patty Murray (Democrat, Washington) In a statement, Biden must “seriously consider how best to protect his incredible legacy and secure it for the future,” he said. “We need to see a more dynamic and energetic nominee.”
Raphael Warnock (Democrat, Georgia) After the debate, Biden said he “absolutely” should not drop out of the race, but appeared to soften his stance this week, telling Axios that “we're going to get to a place where we can win in November” and that Biden is the nominee “at this point.”
Tim Kaine (Democrat-VA) Biden, who campaigned against Trump as Hillary Clinton's running mate in 2016, was similarly equivocal during a press conference on Wednesday. “I have complete confidence in Joe Biden to do the patriotic thing for our country,” he said. “And he will make that decision. He has never let me down.”
The most important voice in the Senate is the majority leader's. Chuck Schumer (Governor of New York)Although Schumer has publicly maintained that he is “with Joe,” Axios reported on Wednesday that Schumer is open to the idea of replacing Joe.
Congressman
So far, 11 House Democrats have called on Biden to drop out of the race.
Other House members have also expressed concern, notably Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). Former House Speaker Morning Joe Speaker Pelosi on Wednesday did not say whether Biden should continue to campaign, insisting it was up to him. When it was pointed out that Biden had already made the decision to continue, Pelosi reiterated that it was Biden's decision.
Governor
No Democratic governors have called on Biden to drop out of the race, and although the president met with them in the week after the debate to address their concerns, many of them seemed unconvinced that Biden was up to the task. The New York Times Biden reportedly told governors they needed to get more sleep and work fewer night shifts, a comment that many governors were unhappy with, CNN reported.
Michigan Governor Gretchen WhitmerSen. Whitmer, a rising star in the party who has been mentioned as a possible Biden successor, said on Wednesday that it “wouldn't hurt” Biden to take the cognitive test. (She has stressed that she has no interest in replacing Biden.) Illinois Governor JP PritzkerAnother rising star within the party, he was recently caught on a hot mic saying, “I don't like where we are.”
New York Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado On Wednesday, he called on Biden to step down, writing to X that “By ending his campaign and making room for new leadership, Biden can demonstrate his strength and grace and further his legacy.”
Politico On Wednesday, it was reported that Biden's approval rating in heavily Democratic New York was falling, putting the Democratic stronghold at risk of becoming a battleground state in November.
Celebrities
George ClooneyThe longtime Democrat, who hosted a glitzy fundraiser for Biden in June, called on the president to step down. The New York Times The op-ed was published Wednesday. “We cannot win the election in November with this president,” Clooney wrote. “Not only that, but he will not win the House and he will lose the Senate. This is not just my opinion, but the opinion of every Senator, Representative and Governor I have spoken to privately — every one of them, regardless of what they say publicly.”
Clooney isn't the only celebrity to call on Biden to drop out of the race. Others include:
Other celebrities, from late-night hosts Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert to actor Michael Douglas, have publicly expressed concerns about Biden's age and ability to do the job.
Donors
Democratic donors also weren't pleased with Biden's debate performance.
Abigail DisneyThe granddaughter of the Disney founder said last week that she plans to refrain from donating to the party until Biden drops out of the race. Gideon SteinAnother major donor, John Biden, said he plans to withhold $3.5 million in contributions until Biden leaves office. The New York TimesCo-founder of Netflix Reed HastingsMajor Democratic donor John Biden has also called for Biden to step down. “Biden needs to step down so strong Democratic leadership can defeat Trump and get us all safe and prosperous,” he said. Times.
It's not just big names and big donors who are angry. NBC News reported on Wednesday that donations have dried up after the debate and the Biden campaign expects the situation to get worse. “Funding has completely dried up,” one source said.
Publication
In the aftermath of the debate, major media outlets reported on Biden's struggles, with many publishing editorials calling for him to withdraw from the race. Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionThe most prominent newspaper in Georgia, a state Biden won narrowly in 2020, ran a story with the headline “It's time for Biden to pass the baton.” Chicago TribuneThe city's largest newspaper, which will host the Democratic National Convention later this summer, also called for Biden to resign.
So I did The New York TimesThe editorial board of The Times ran a piece the day after the debate arguing that the president should withdraw from the race. “The clearest path for Democrats to defeat a candidate defined by lies is to deal honestly with the American people,” the Times wrote, “and create a process to select someone better qualified to defeat Mr. Biden in November.”
