Fresh calls from lawmakers and donors for President Biden to step down have heightened the pressure on him as he prepares for a crucial news conference at the NATO summit on Thursday.
President Biden and his allies may have thought they had quelled a rebellion from fellow Democrats and donors after his recent debate performance. However, a series of interventions has increased the pressure on his campaign just as he gets ready for a significant news conference at the NATO summit, seen as his next big test.
Some Democratic lawmakers have openly expressed their dissatisfaction. Representative Nancy Pelosi told MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” on Wednesday that “time is running short” for the president to make a decision, comments that stunned several White House officials. She stated she would support whatever decision Biden makes but her remarks have given other Democrats the space to voice their concerns.
Later, Peter Welch of Vermont became the first Democratic senator to call on Biden to withdraw. “We can’t unsee what we saw” at the debate, Welch told The Times, adding that Donald Trump’s return to power would be a “catastrophe.”
Actor George Clooney, who co-hosted a $28 million fundraiser for Biden in Los Angeles last month, was more direct in a Times guest essay. Clooney stated that Biden’s debate performance wasn’t a one-off, noting that the president he saw three weeks ago wasn’t the same vibrant leader from 2010 or even 2020.
This has also been a setback for Jeffrey Katzenberg. Hollywood has been a stronghold of support for Biden, but donors have accused Katzenberg, the Biden campaign co-chairman, of downplaying the president’s health issues. Katzenberg had spearheaded efforts to keep Clooney on board.
Other donors have voiced their concerns as well. Andrew Tobias, a top fundraiser and former treasurer of the Democratic National Committee, suggested the party should hold a “mini-primary” to select Biden’s replacement. Investor Whitney Tilson told The Financial Times that a Biden exit would “draw attention and energy from donors who are all sitting there not giving to anybody.”
Despite these concerns, some donors continue to support Biden, including Alex Soros, son of George Soros, and James Costos, a former HBO executive who attended the Los Angeles fundraiser.
Senator Chuck Schumer’s stance could be influential. Given his close ties with Wall Street, he has received significant feedback from concerned donors over the past two weeks. Schumer publicly backed Biden on Wednesday, stating, “As I have made clear repeatedly publicly and privately, I support President Biden,” after Axios reported that he had indicated to donors he was open to a change.
Biden’s upcoming news conference at the NATO summit on Thursday is seen as a pivotal moment. Donors have told DealBook they will be closely watching Biden’s performance as they decide their next steps.
Some U.S. allies are also reconsidering their positions. Envoys to the summit have reportedly started setting up meetings with Trump advisers, reflecting growing doubts about Biden’s chances in the November election.
