Biden Insists He Wasn’t Forced From Race In First Interview Since Dropping Out

Topline

President Joe Biden rejected the notion on Wednesday he was forced out of the presidential race in his first interview since his historic decision to end his campaign, and still insisted he would have beaten former President Donald Trump.

Key Facts

Biden “never fully believed the assertions that somehow there was this overwhelming reluctance to my running again,” he said Wednesday on ABC’s “The View” in his first sit-down since announcing his decision in July, even though dozens of prominent Democrats publicly called on him to bow out of the race in the wake of his disastrous June 27 debate with Trump.

Biden’s relationship with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who played an integral role in pushing Biden to make the decision, is “fine,” he said when prompted by the hosts.

Biden acknowledged “there are some folks” who wanted to see him step aside “so they have a chance to move on” to the next generation of leaders.

He also maintained his belief that he would have beaten Trump had he stayed in the race, calling him a “loser.”

The president—who repeatedly joked about his age throughout the interview—praised Vice President Kamala Harris: “she is bright, she is tough, she's honorable” and “smart as hell,” Biden said in the interview.

Crucial Quote

“I am at peace with my decision,” Biden said, adding that he always saw himself as a “transition president” and, repeating a line he often uses in discussing his decision,: “It was the greatest honor in the world sitting behind the Resolute Desk as president of the United States . . . I loved it . . . but I love my country more.”

Key Background

Biden stepped aside in the race on July 21 following a disastrous June 27 debate with Trump and slipping poll numbers. In explaining his decision in an Oval Office address days later, Biden said he believed his record “merited a second term,” but he put his “personal ambition” aside in “defense of democracy.” Harris promptly announced plans to run in Biden’s place, and his delegates voted to formally nominate her at the party’s convention in August. She has since erased Trump’s polling lead and was widely viewed to have won the Sept. 10 debate with Trump.

Further Reading

Here’s Why Biden Says He Dropped Out—In First Speech Since Leaving 2024 Race (Forbes)

Trump Vs. Harris 2024 Polls: Harris Leads In 2 New Surveys—Amid Virtual Tie In Swing States (Forbes)

Election 2024 Swing State Polls: Trump Takes Three States In Latest Survey (Forbes)