Biden explains the decision in first interview after exit
In his first interview after withdrawing from the November presidential race, U.S. President Joe Biden explained his decision, emphasizing that his top priority was defeating Donald Trump. Biden noted that continuing his candidacy would have distracted from this goal by causing internal debates within the Democratic Party.
President Biden, 81, clarified in the interview that he does not have any "serious health issues" and attributed his poor performance in a debate with Trump to an illness at the time. He dismissed concerns about his age and mental acuity.
Biden pledged to campaign for the Democratic Party's new presidential candidate, current Vice President Kamala Harris, and offered his full support in any way she needs.
In an interview with CBS News, Biden reiterated, "We must defeat Trump, we must defeat him, we must defeat him."
He added, "Many of my Democratic colleagues in the House and Senate thought I would harm them in the race. I was concerned that if I stayed in the race, it would become a distraction. You would have been asking me, ‘Why did Nancy Pelosi say this?’ and I thought it would take away focus."
There were reports that former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi led efforts to push Biden out of the race following his underwhelming debate performance with Trump on June 27. Pelosi did not fully deny these claims.
'I Don't Even Want to Mention My Age'
During the pre-recorded interview, which aired on Sunday, Biden occasionally misspoke but performed better overall than he did in the live debate against Trump.
He blamed his poor debate performance on illness and previously cited jet lag from his travels as a contributing factor.
As calls for him to step down from the race continued, Biden announced his withdrawal on July 21.
The Democrats quickly rallied around Harris, who had already surpassed Biden in public opinion polls, avoiding a contentious process to select a new candidate.
When Biden first ran for the White House in 2020, he said his aim was to serve as a bridge for the next generation: "When I first ran, I saw myself as a transitional president. I don't even want to mention how old I am. It's difficult for me to say it."
'Trump Is a Real Threat to U.S. Security'
Biden said he decided to run against Trump after the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017. He accused Trump of emboldening racists and far-right extremists:
"Whenever Ku Klux Klan members participated in rallies, they wore hoods to avoid recognition. During [Trump's] presidency, they took off their hoods because they knew they had allies."
Biden also reiterated his concerns about what could happen after the November election and expressed doubt about a peaceful transition of power if Harris defeats Trump.
He raised concerns about potential violence if Trump loses, referencing Trump’s remark, "If I lose, the country will be a bloodbath."
"Trump is a real threat to U.S. security," Biden said.
Trump’s campaign team claimed that the "bloodbath" comment referred to the economy and the auto industry, arguing that Democrats had taken it out of context.
Former President Trump continues to insist, without evidence, that he was cheated out of the presidency in the 2020 election and has warned of potential "fraud" in the upcoming November elections.
Trump has also pledged to pardon some or all of those convicted of inciting the January 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol.
Biden stated that he would campaign on behalf of Harris and had discussed participating in a state tour with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. Biden was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, a working-class town.
"I’ll be campaigning in other states as well. And I will do whatever Kamala thinks is the best way I can help," Biden said.
