WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Tuesday blamed jet lag from recent overseas travel for his dismal performance in last week’s debate, even though he returned to the United States 12 days before taking the stage with former President Donald Trump.
Biden, facing immense pressure from Democrats after his poor debate performance, made the excuse while addressing donors at a campaign fundraiser in McLean, Virginia, near Washington.
“I didn’t have the best night,” Biden told his supporters. “I wasn’t very smart. I decided to go around the world a few times, through I don’t know how many time zones.”
“I didn’t listen to my team. And then I came back and almost fell asleep on stage,” Biden said, prompting laughter from some donors. “That’s not an excuse, but an explanation.”
Biden later apologized to his supporters, saying he was sorry for his performance in the June 27 debate but stressed that it was “critical” to winning the election against Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee.
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Biden’s remarks could spark even greater scrutiny of the 81-year-old president’s ability to handle the rigorous travel, busy schedule and other demands of a second term in the White House.
Before the debate, Biden spent six days at Camp David, the presidential residence in Maryland, preparing with White House advisers. He arrived there on the night of June 20 and left on the morning of June 27 for Atlanta, the venue for the debate.
Biden was in Italy from June 12 to 14 to attend the G7 summit. He returned to the United States early in the morning of June 15 and immediately took Air Force One to Los Angeles to attend a fundraiser in Hollywood. Biden returned to the White House on June 16, made a quick stop at his home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, on June 18, and then traveled to Camp David.
Biden was in France from June 5 to 9 to celebrate the 80th anniversary of D-Day with his allies and meet with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Biden has vowed he will not withdraw from the race despite growing concerns from Democrats, including Tuesday from the first Democrat in Congress to call on him to step down, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas.
Contact Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison.
