US President Joe Biden’s recent press conference, which aimed to address concerns about his age, mental acuity, and future as the Democratic candidate, attracted an audience of at least 25.1 million viewers, according to Bloomberg. Nielsen data indicated that 24.2 million viewers tuned in across eight cable and broadcast networks, with the number rising further when including smaller news stations like News Nation and Newsmax.
The conference was a pivotal moment for Biden to rebuild confidence among party members, donors, and voters following questions about his capability to run for President after his performance in a debate with Donald Trump on June 27. Despite ongoing pressure within his party to withdraw, Biden remains steadfast in his intention to contest as the Democratic nominee.
During the press conference, Biden also addressed his recent gaffes at a NATO summit, where he mistakenly referred to Ukrainian President Zelensky as Putin and mixed up Vice President Kamala Harris with Republican candidate Donald Trump. These incidents, coupled with his debate performance, have sparked concerns about the 81-year-old President’s fitness to run for office.
The press conference drew almost as many viewers as Biden’s two previous State of the Union addresses, which each attracted 27 million viewers. In comparison, the debate between Trump and Biden garnered over 51 million views.
Fox News led the coverage with an audience of 5.67 million, followed by ABC with 4.97 million and CBS with 3.6 million viewers. The significant viewership highlights the intense public interest in Biden’s response to the growing scrutiny of his age and mental sharpness as he prepares for the upcoming presidential election.
