The New York Times report, which cited an unnamed “key ally,” suggested that Biden had expressed uncertainty about continuing his campaign during a private conversation. The ally reportedly said that Biden understood the need to swiftly reassure the public of his capability to lead.
This speculation followed Biden’s recent debate performance against Republican contender Donald Trump in Atlanta, which some critics argued was lackluster, leading to calls for him to step aside as the Democratic nominee for the November 5 election.
White House spokesperson Andrew Bates responded decisively on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), stating, “This claim is absolutely false.” His post included an image of the New York Times article, which bore the headline: “Biden Told Ally That He Is Weighing Whether To Continue in the Race.”
The New York Times article did not directly quote Biden as saying he was reconsidering his reelection plans. Instead, it quoted the ally, who suggested that Biden acknowledged the need to avoid further missteps. The ally was quoted as saying Biden “knows if he has two more events like that, we’re in a different place” by the end of the weekend.
Subsequent reports from CNN echoed the narrative of internal deliberations. CNN cited another unnamed ally who described Biden as being aware of the challenges facing his campaign. “The polls are plummeting, the fundraising is drying up, and the interviews are going badly. He’s not oblivious,” the ally told CNN.
Biden has attributed his debate performance to fatigue from two recent foreign trips and a cold, as per White House officials. In response to the mounting criticisms, Biden’s campaign has engaged in damage control, including calls with donors and plans for a strategic meeting with Democratic governors.
The White House’s swift rebuttal aims to quell any doubts about Biden’s commitment to his reelection campaign and maintain confidence among supporters and the public. As the election approaches, the administration is likely to continue emphasizing Biden’s readiness to lead amidst the political challenges and criticisms he faces.
