In his first broadcast interview following his sharply criticized debate performance the previous week, President Joe Biden declined to say if he would take a cognitive or neurological exam and make the results public.
With reference to his duties as president, Biden claimed that he is put to the test every day.
“Every day, I undergo a comprehensive neurological examination,” Biden informed ABC News presenter George Stephanopoulos.
The president responded, “No, no one said I had to,” when asked if he had taken a cognitive test.
In the 22-minute conversation, Biden accepted responsibility for his mistakes during the previous week’s debate and contended that his poor performance was due to illness.
“I am the only one at fault,” he declared.
The president emphasized several times that the discussion was just “a bad night.”
“This episode is awful. Nothing to suggest a major illness. I was worn out,” Biden remarked. “I had a terrible night because I didn’t follow my instincts when it came to preparation.”
In response to the question of why a few days of training at Camp David was insufficient, Biden said, “My feeling was awful because I felt unwell.”
When asked if he had seen the debate on tape, the president responded, “I don’t think I did, no.”
When asked about trailing former President Donald Trump, Biden said, “I don’t buy that,” rejecting Stephanopoulos’ analysis of his dismal polling statistics.
Despite misstating the year, Biden also cited red wave forecasts for the 2022 midterm elections that never happened.
Biden stated, “Remember 2024 — 2020, the red wave was coming.” “I told you before the vote that it wouldn’t happen. We will prevail. Compared to almost all previous incumbent presidents, we performed better in an off-year.
Additionally, Biden persisted in dismissing the notion of withdrawing from the race, claiming that Democratic leaders in Congress had advised him to do so.
“Look, if the Almighty said to Joe, “Get out of the race,” I would withdraw from the race,” stated Biden. “The Almighty Lord is not descending.”
In response to a question about his feelings in January should he continue to run and Trump win, Biden said, “I’ll feel as long as I gave it my all and I did the best job as I know I can do. That’s what this is about.” (Biden’s campaign confirmed that he stated “good as job,” even though it was initially reported that he had said “best job.” The identical thing was altered in the official ABC transcript as well.)
The interview is released at a critical juncture in the general election campaign, as talk about Biden’s potential replacement as the party’s contender for president in 2024 persists and some Democrats have called for him to withdraw from the race.
Several Democrats expressed skepticism about the interview’s ability to fulfill the campaign’s objectives.
It depressed me. utterly disconnected from reality and shielded from the truth,” a House Democrat who wished to remain anonymous stated. “I’m going to speak up soon.”
“There appears to be an inevitable quality to this,” remarked a different House Democrat, and “we’re doomed,” claimed a third to NBC News.
Another House Democrat texted NBC News, saying, “Refusing to participate in a cognitive exam is problematic.”
Biden’s withdrawal is being demanded by an increasing number of Democrats.
Rep. Mike Quigley asked Biden to stand down just before the interview aired. Reps. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) and Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariza) had previously stated that Biden ought not seek reelection.
Several of Biden’s closest supporters, such as former Californian House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have urged the 81-year-old president to demonstrate that he is capable of serving a second term in office by hosting more events and giving speeches that are mostly spontaneous rather than reciting lines from a teleprompter.
Prior to Friday’s interview, NBC News was informed by two Biden aides and a former official who was aware of the discussions that the upcoming week’s activities for Biden are deemed “absolutely critical.”
The sources stated that aside from what the White House has previously hinted at over the next several days, there is no intention for a “major shift” in tactics. Nonetheless, they warned that the president’s itinerary might be expanded to include more appearances and interviews.
According to the sources, the president is aware that he needs to do well in his upcoming public appearances because, if he doesn’t, the people may continue to believe that he should withdraw from the campaign.
At his Wisconsin campaign rally on Friday, Biden persisted in denying rumors that he would withdraw from the 2024 presidential race.
“I’m staying in the race, let me say that as clearly as I can,” Biden declared. “I’ll triumph over Donald Trump.”
Later on Friday, Biden responded to reporters when they asked if he would watch the interview, saying, “I think I will, yeah.”
In two different radio appearances earlier this week, Biden admitted that he had a “bad night” and “messed up,” but that it “does not take away from the three and a half years of work I’ve done.”
Biden’s financial backers are beginning to have doubts about his ability as well. This week, CNBC revealed that Abigail Disney, the co-founder of The Walt Disney Co.’s granddaughter Roy Disney, threatened to withhold her donations to Democrats until Biden withdrew from the contest.
Biden’s voice sounded raspy during the discussion; the White House said that he was suffering from a cold. At a campaign fundraiser, the president claimed that the discussion followed a protracted vacation abroad, even though he had only returned from it approximately two weeks prior.
According to two people familiar with the conversation, Biden suggested limiting evening activities after 8 p.m. in order to get more sleep during his meeting with Democratic governors on Wednesday night.
The Biden team refuted the statements, arguing that presidents require a well-rounded agenda.
“President Obama prepared dinner around 6:30, and President Bush went to bed at 9. Joe Biden, like most presidents, strikes a balance, according to campaign spokesman Kevin Munoz. “Nearly as strict as Donald Trump, who plays golf for the bulk of the day and then rants on Truth Social about policies that will bring about a recession.”