President Biden dismissed concerns about his age, mental acuity, and polls showing him losing his re-election bid in a recent prime-time interview with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos. The 81-year-old president vowed to stay in the race unless “the Lord Almighty” told him otherwise, and insisted that his sharpness is tested daily while he is “running the world.”
During the 22-minute interview, Mr. Biden pushed back against calls for neurological or cognitive testing, saying he did not believe the polls showing him trailing. He highlighted his accomplishments in office, including his ability to hold NATO together and checkmate China in the Pacific Basin.
Despite facing questions about his mental competency and calls from donors and lawmakers to step aside, Mr. Biden remained defiant, telling the crowd at a campaign rally in Madison, Wis., that he is staying in the race. He emphasized that he is not too old to create jobs, appoint a Black woman to the Supreme Court, or take on big Pharma.
The president’s actions in the days following a debate in Atlanta, where he faced criticism for his performance, are being closely scrutinized. While some business executives and lawmakers have called for him to exit the race, Mr. Biden is determined to continue campaigning and has committed to another debate against former President Donald J. Trump.
As the pressure mounts and questions about his candidacy persist, Mr. Biden remains resolute in his belief that he is the most qualified candidate to win the race. The interview with ABC and the campaign rally in Wisconsin were seen as opportunities for him to address concerns about his age and mental acuity, but it remains to be seen if they will be enough to turn the tide in his favor.
