- President Joe Biden has indicated he would accept losing to Trump as long as he fights well.
- The 81-year-old president made the comments during his first post-debate interview on Friday.
- Biden continues to present a defiant front even as concerns about his candidacy grow.
President Joe Biden has suggested he would accept a loss to former President Donald Trump in November “if he gives it his all,” undermining the core of his 2024 presidential agenda as concerns about his candidacy continue to grow.
On Friday, Biden, 81, gave his first interview since his disastrous performance in last week’s debate, speaking with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos and trying to allay doubts about his fitness for office, including growing anxiety within his own party.
Biden has long positioned himself as the best bet to protect American democracy from four more years of Trump. In interviews and campaign speeches, Biden has painted a picture of chaos and collapse if Trump retakes the White House. Biden’s campaign has explicitly accused Trump of being in the race for himself, while presenting Biden as a candidate who serves the people.
But toward the end of his interview Friday, Biden gave an answer that seemed to contradict his talk of the common good.
“If you stay in office and Trump is elected and everything you’re saying happens, how will you feel in January?” Stephanopoulos asked.
“I’ll feel that as long as I give it my all and do the best job I can, that’s what it’s about,” Biden replied.
That response seems like as definitive a glimpse as possible into Biden’s stubborn mindset as calls mount for him to drop out of the race.
Four House Democrats and a growing number of liberal donors have publicly called for Biden to be replaced. While some reports have suggested Biden is privately wondering whether he can salvage his reelection bid, he has been steadfast in his public promise to stay in the race.
Denial was the dominant theme of Biden’s interview with ABC. He attributed his debate performance to “a bad night,” repeatedly dodged questions about his age and cognitive abilities and disputed poll numbers that put him several points behind Trump.
When asked what it would take for him to drop out of the race, Biden tried to dodge the question with a joke, telling Stephanopoulos that he would only withdraw if “the Lord Almighty” himself came and told him he couldn’t win.
