Biden Makes Stunning Admission About Decision to Leave Race
President Joe Biden appeared to make a significant admission regarding his decision to end his reelection campaign last month.
In an interview with CBS News correspondent Robert Costa, aired on Sunday, Biden seemed to suggest that his decision was strongly influenced by prominent Democrats, which has reignited claims from former President Donald Trump, Republicans, and some Democrats that he was pressured out in a sort of “coup.”
Costa began the interview by asking, “Let’s start with your decision. In late July, you were at your home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, with your family when you made this historic decision. Can you share the story?”
Biden responded, “Look, the polls we had showed it was a close race right up to the end. A number of my Democratic colleagues in the House and Senate were concerned that my candidacy would hurt them in their races. I was worried that if I stayed in, it would become a major distraction—questions about why Nancy Pelosi or others said what they did. That was the first concern.”
He continued, “The second concern was that I always saw myself as a transition president. I can’t even express how old I am; it’s difficult to say. Things were moving so quickly, and that played into my decision. Ultimately, I felt that maintaining our democracy was the most critical issue. While it was an incredible honor to be president, I have an obligation to the country to focus on the most important thing we can do: we must, we must defeat Trump.”
Costa then asked about the moment after Biden’s speech when his family joined him in the Oval Office, “I saw images of your family in the Oval Office, sitting just over to your left as you addressed the nation. What did you say to them?”
Biden replied, “It’s more about what they said to me. My grandchildren call me ‘Pop,’ my children call me ‘Dad.’ They told me they were proud, and that meant a lot.”
Meanwhile, vice-presidential nominee Sen. J.D. Vance and others have called for President Biden to step down after members of the Democratic Party reportedly persuaded him to end his reelection bid due to concerns about his mental fitness.
Vance, chosen by former President Donald Trump as his running mate on the first day of the Republican National Convention, argued that if Biden is unable to run for office due to cognitive issues, he should not remain in the presidency.
“Anyone calling on Joe Biden to stop running without also demanding his resignation from the presidency is showing an absurd level of cynicism,” Vance posted on the X platform. “If you can’t run, you can’t serve. He should step down immediately.”
However, in a speech last month, Biden stated that he intends to complete his term, which ends on January 20, 2025.
During an Oval Office address on Wednesday, Biden reassured the American people that “the defense of democracy is more important than any title” and that he plans to fulfill his term.
“I find strength and joy in serving the American people. But this sacred mission of perfecting our union isn’t about me. It’s about you. Your families. Your futures. It’s about ‘We the People,’” Biden said.
“I have concluded that the best path forward is to pass the torch to a new generation. That is the best way to bring our nation together,” Biden added.