WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump said there's a “good chance” that President Joe Biden will stay in the 2024 presidential race, but he's also prepared if the sitting president were to pull out.
“He has an ego and he doesn't want to quit,” Trump said in a phone interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity that aired Monday night.If Biden withdraws or Democrats somehow oust him, Trump said he would face off against Vice President Kamala Harris.
“I don't think he wants to leave the country,” Trump told Hannity, “but if anyone does leave the country, it's going to be her.”
Trump's comments came shortly after Biden stressed he was committed to his reelection despite calls from some Democrats for him to step down after a poor performance in a June 27 debate that called into question his intellectual ability. “The time has come to unite, move forward as a party and defeat Donald Trump,” Biden wrote in a defiant letter to congressional Democrats.
Trump: Biden's decision on running mate could affect choice
Trump and his campaign have kept a fairly low profile since his debate with Biden, but are preparing to hold two political rallies this week and announce his running mate.
In the Hannity interview, Trump said Biden's fate could influence his final decision on his running mate, adding that he would make an announcement shortly before or during next week's Republican National Convention.
After Hannity mentioned specific names, including Sens. Marco Rubio of Florida, Tim Scott of South Carolina, J.D. Vance of Ohio and Gov. Doug Burgum of North Dakota, Trump said they were all under consideration.
“We have a lot of good people,” Trump said. “Let's see what Biden does.”
Biden aides said Trump was staying away from the campaign trail because he had been convicted and had nothing to say.
“He's still a habitual liar, he's still a 34-time convicted felon and he's still pushing his Project 2025 agenda, destroying America and being a dictator from day one, taking away our rights and raising taxes on the middle class to give tax cuts to the wealthy and price-gouging corporations,” Biden spokesman James Singer said.
“And most importantly, he will lose the election in November to Joe Biden,” Singer added.
“It was a strange night.”
Trump's next rally is on Tuesday in Doral, Florida, his first public appearance since June 28, the day after the debate in which Biden struggled to answer questions.
“It's been a strange night, I have to say,” Trump told Hannity.
Biden said last night was a bad night and that he was looking forward to the next debate with Trump.
“I am determined to remain in this race, fight to the end, and defeat Donald Trump,” Biden said in a letter to Democratic lawmakers.
