Joe Biden's disastrous performance in the June 27 debate with Donald Trump has sparked an outburst of concern among Democrats, with a growing number of them calling for the president to drop his 2024 presidential bid.
Concerns about the 81-year-old Biden's competency have existed for months, but the debate saw his usual gaffes take center stage in a different way: With no pre-recorded questions or teleprompters for the president to fall back on, it was impossible to hide his slow reactions and moments of apparent confusion.
Joe Biden's disastrous performance in the June 27 debate with Donald Trump has sparked an outburst of concern among Democrats, with a growing number of them calling for the president to end his 2024 presidential bid.
The president will next be put to the test in a highly-anticipated interview with Lester Holt that airs Monday night. Prior to the interview, 21 Democratic politicians have publicly called for the president to drop out of the race. But more than 80 politicians continue to support the president and say he should remain the Democratic nominee.
Despite the backing of these allies, Biden lost significant public support, including from key celebrities. Last week, actor George Clooney wrote an op-ed in The New York Times urging Biden to withdraw from the nomination after helping the Democratic nominee raise a record $30 million in fundraising in June. Barack Obama reportedly knew about the op-ed before it was published but did nothing to stop Clooney.
With the Democratic National Convention approaching, Biden is expected to be nominated as the party's presidential nominee within weeks, unless he decides to step down.
Here's where Democrats, donors, celebrities and other notable figures stand on whether Biden should withdraw, stay in or not take sides and express concern about his candidacy.
Several leading Democratic candidates have been mentioned as possible presidential contenders, including Vice President Kamala Harris, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, but Whitmer and several other potential candidates have made it clear they will not run in 2024.
If Biden decides to drop out of the race before the Democratic National Convention, those candidates could register as Democratic candidates in August and be selected by delegates for election. If Biden doesn't withdraw, convention protocol requires delegates to maintain their support for Biden as the nominee.
Voters and Democrats will be paying close attention to tonight's interview with Holt as Biden returns to the campaign trail, especially now that Trump has clinched the Republican nomination in Milwaukee.
