US President Joe Biden faced a challenging solo press conference on Thursday where he was questioned by the White House press corps. The aim was to reassure Democratic lawmakers, allies, and persuadable voters ahead of the upcoming election that he still possesses the strength and stamina required for the presidency.
Biden attributed his poor debate performance to feeling unwell due to a cold, as he sought to bolster his re-election campaign.
Key Takeaways from Biden’s Press Conference:
Early Slip-up: President Biden made a notable gaffe early in the press conference by mistakenly referring to Vice President Kamala Harris as “Vice President Trump.” This slip occurred while explaining his decision to choose her as his running mate, believing she could defeat Trump in an election. Earlier, at the NATO summit, Biden had introduced Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as “President Putin,” quickly correcting himself after the audience gasped.
When a reporter mentioned the “Vice President Trump” slip and the Republican campaign’s reaction, Biden responded defiantly, “Listen to him,” before exiting the stage, refusing to address the mistake further.
On Kamala Harris as a Potential Replacement: When asked about Harris’s capability to assume the presidency, Biden affirmed his confidence, stating, “I wouldn’t have picked her unless I thought she was qualified to be president,” citing her experience as a prosecutor and US Senator. He admitted shifting away from his 2020 promise to be a “bridge” to a new generation of Democrats, attributing this to the gravity of the situation he inherited. Biden emphasized his commitment to finishing his current responsibilities, repeatedly stating, “I’ve got to finish this job.”
On the Israel-Gaza War: Biden announced that Israel and Hamas had agreed to a ceasefire framework, with some details still to be finalized. “That framework is now agreed on by both Israel and Hamas. So I sent my team to the region to hammer out the details,” he said. Biden stressed that the conflict must end immediately and that Israel should not occupy Gaza once the war concludes. He expressed dissatisfaction with some outcomes in Gaza, particularly the planned closure of the US military’s humanitarian pier.
Will Biden Drop Out of the Race? Biden dismissed concerns about his ability to serve another term, despite his earlier reference to Trump. “I’m not in this for my legacy. I’m in this to complete the job I started,” he asserted, emphasizing his strong support among voters and his commitment to the campaign. He countered implications of decline or inefficiency, stating, “My schedule has been full bore… But there’s no indication of that yet — none.”
On Health Concerns: President Biden affirmed his robust health and openness to undergoing another neurological examination if recommended by his medical team. He disclosed that he has already undergone three rigorous neurological evaluations, with the most recent one in February. “I am in good shape,” he stated, based on his doctors‘ feedback, noting that currently, no further examination is recommended.