Biden announces staying in presidential race, defies Democrats
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Days after inquiries and calls by Democrats and Congressmen for Biden to step down, the president says he is continuing the journey and "will win again".
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President Joe Biden, right, greets supporters at a campaign rally at Sherman Middle School in Madison, Wisconsin, Friday, July 5, 2024. (AP)
US President Joe Biden has announced that he’s standing his ground in the presidential race, defying wishes by his own party to step aside amid inquiries into his mental fitness.
During a campaign event in Wisconsin, Biden said, “Ever since then (the debate), there's been a lot of speculation. What's Joe going to do? Is he going to stay in the race? What you going to do?”
He added, “Here's my answer. I am running and going to win again”.
In response to “some folks” who are trying to kick him out of the presidential race, taking a jab at the Democrats, he said, “Let me say this too, as I can, I'm staying in the race.”
Some elected Democrats who support Biden raised new concerns on Tuesday about his campaign for re-election, with one suggesting he should consider stepping down. This marks a change after many had previously defended him following his uncertain performance in last week's debate.
According to Democrats and political strategists, the decision on whether Biden proceeds with his 2024 presidential bid, following his less-than-stellar debate against Republican candidate Donald Trump, largely rests with him.
Some donors are urging Biden to consider stepping down, and other Democrats are openly expressing concerns that he may not be capable of defeating Trump in November.
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Simultaneously, he did not spare a moment to lash out at the Republican frontrunner Donald Trump, calling him a "liar".
“Let's focus on what really matters, running against the biggest liar and the biggest threat. Oh, really, the biggest threat to our democracy in American history”.
Trump: Biden close to 'quitting the race'
This comes a day after a video leaked by The Daily Beast on Wednesday showed Trump calling Joe Biden "a broken-down pile of crap" claiming he is close to "quitting the race."
A video obtained by The Daily Beast shows presidential hopeful Donald Trump calling US President Joe Biden an “old, broken-down pile of crap” who is on the verge of pulling out of the November elections. The video, filmed while Trump sits in a golf cart with his son Barron, has… pic.twitter.com/a8eqtpWvKt
— CYNN (@CYNN_Official) July 4, 2024
The 78-year-old former president is seen in the video riding in a golf cart with his son Barron by his side and clutching a large sum of money while providing his take on the 2024 presidential campaign.
Trump talks to someone off-camera, "How did I do with the debate the other night?" and then says that Biden "He just quit, you know – he’s quitting the race... I got him out of the – and that means we have Kamala."
He believes "she’s [Kamala Harris] gonna be better" but added, "She’s so bad. She’s so pathetic."
According to one House Democratic aide, 25 Democratic members of the House of Representatives are ready to call for Biden to step aside if his performance continues to falter in the coming days. Another House Democratic aide mentioned that moderate Democrats in competitive districts, often referred to as "front liners", are facing intense scrutiny and questions from their constituents this week.
