President Joe Biden Faces Criticism After Debate with Donald Trump

While President Joe Biden was at Camp David for a family gathering, key Democratic leaders supported him, dismissing calls for him to end his 2024 campaign. Despite a challenging debate performance against former President Donald Trump, where Biden struggled with his speech, his allies stood by him.

A CBS-YouGov poll showed that 72% of Americans doubt Biden’s mental and cognitive health to serve as president. However, the race between Biden and Trump remains close. Some Democrats and editorials suggested Biden should step aside for a younger candidate, but key Democratic officials disagreed.

Georgia Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock defended Biden, saying, “Bad debates happen.” Representative Jim Clyburn of South Carolina praised Biden’s leadership, attributing the debate issues to “preparation overload.” Maryland Governor Wes Moore also supported Biden, stating that one difficult night should not force him out of the race.

Biden’s campaign argued that replacing him would lead to chaos and a likely loss in the national election. Former Biden aide Kate Bedingfield noted that the campaign raised $33 million since the debate. Republican figures like Reince Priebus and Senator Lindsey Graham criticized Biden’s performance, calling it incoherent.

Biden, after attending fundraising events, went to Camp David. He reassured supporters that despite his age, he believes he can still lead effectively, emphasizing his commitment to truth and leadership.