President Biden held a roughly hour-long press conference on Thursday evening, facing intense scrutiny over his mental fitness and age ahead of the November presidential election. The event, dubbed a ‘big boy press conference,’ was a high-stakes affair as calls for Biden to step aside grew from both Democrats and Republicans.
Biden addressed concerns head-on, declaring he’s ‘determined on running’ and pointing to his legislative achievements as proof of his capabilities. He also touted his handling of the economy, claiming to have created 2,000 jobs last week alone.
However, the press conference was not without its share of gaffes. Biden, at one point, seemed to confuse Vice President Kamala Harris with former President Donald Trump, saying, “Look, I wouldn’t have picked Vice President Trump to be vice president… So, I think she not qualified to be president [if I thought] she’s not qualified to be president.” He also struggled to remember Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s name, mistakenly calling him President Putin before quickly correcting himself.
These missteps sparked immediate criticism from Republicans, who labeled the press conference ‘another disaster.’ However, some Democrats defended Biden’s performance, highlighting his strong stance on foreign policy and domestic issues.
Despite the ongoing concerns, Biden reiterated his belief that Harris is qualified to be president, emphasizing her experience as a prosecutor, senator, and his chosen running mate. He maintains his commitment to running for re-election, vowing to continue his campaign and address the concerns about his fitness for office head-on.
As the 2024 election draws nearer, the pressure on Biden to address these concerns will only intensify. The outcome of his campaign and the future of the Democratic Party hinge on his ability to regain the public’s trust and demonstrate his capacity to lead the country for another term.
