In his first interview since leaving office in January, former President Joe Biden made some surprising admissions, particularly about his decision to remain in the 2020 presidential race longer than expected.
Biden sat down with BBC’s Nick Robinson, who asked him if he regretted staying in the race as long as he did, especially when it seemed like it might have been more beneficial to withdraw earlier and give someone else a chance to challenge President Donald Trump. The question came after the two discussed international diplomacy and trade, and the conversation turned to Biden’s unexpected decision to leave the race just months before the election.
Robinson questioned whether stepping aside sooner would have altered the political landscape, and if Biden had any regrets about his timing. Biden’s response was firm: “No,” he said, insisting that his decision to stay in the race was the right one. He elaborated, stating that by the time he made the decision to step away, his candidate was in a strong position, fully funded, and ready to compete. The progress his campaign had made was unprecedented, and Biden felt that despite the overwhelming pressure, it was difficult to walk away when his agenda had been so successful.
The exchange also touched on Biden’s view of the next generation’s readiness to take over, something he had mentioned earlier in his career. He explained that he had always planned for a transition to younger leadership, but the pace of world events and the political landscape made it hard to step back at that time.
Despite his confidence in the decision, Biden’s critics continue to scrutinize his performance leading up to the election. Veteran political reporters have brought renewed attention to controversies surrounding the Democratic Party, particularly in light of recent media reports shedding light on Biden’s son, Hunter, and the alleged corruption surrounding his business dealings.
The issue of Biden’s age and cognitive abilities has also been a point of contention among those close to the former president. Michael LaRosa, a former press secretary for First Lady Jill Biden, revealed that Biden’s colleagues in the White House had deliberately downplayed concerns about his health and poll numbers. LaRosa referred to this as “gaslighting,” a term often used to describe when people deliberately mislead others into questioning their own reality. He said that Biden’s campaign and administration had actively denied any polling concerns, even as his numbers stagnated heading into the 2024 election.
In addition, LaRosa revealed that Biden’s team was fearful of allowing the president to engage in unscripted press conferences, worried that his performance would harm his image. Despite these challenges, Biden’s advisors chose to shield him from increased scrutiny, ultimately hoping to manage the public narrative until the election.
These revelations have drawn fresh attention to Biden’s readiness for another term and the Democratic Party’s efforts to navigate his re-election bid amidst growing concerns about his health and political viability. With the 2024 election just around the corner, the debate over Biden’s political future is likely to intensify.
