President Joe Biden made remarks to donors this week, expressing uncertainty about running for a second term if former President Donald Trump were not to run. These comments emerged in the context of public polls revealing concerns about Biden’s age and health.
Biden told donors at a fundraiser today:
"If Trump wasn't running, I'm not sure I'd be running, but we cannot let him win." pic.twitter.com/uxCyulu0Bt
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) December 6, 2023
During a fundraiser in Boston earlier this week, Biden stated that if Trump “wasn’t running, I’m not sure I’d be running. But we cannot let him win.” He also criticized Trump, asserting that the former president was no longer concealing his intentions and was openly declaring his plans.
Biden characterized Trump as a threat to American democracy during the event and criticized his positions on various issues, including healthcare.
At 81 years old, Biden is the oldest president in American history. If he were to be re-elected for another term, he would leave office at the age of 86.
Multiple polls conducted this year have shown that a majority of the American public has concerns about Biden’s age and health. The president has had several incidents of falling or stumbling recently, including at the U.S. Air Force Academy’s graduation ceremony.
One poll released the previous month found that only 42% of the public believed the president was “mentally fit” for office, with 58% expressing doubts about his ability to serve, as per the Harvard-Harris poll. These doubts included 69% of independent voters.
Additionally, two-thirds of the electorate believed that Biden was too old for his current role, with 89% of Republicans and 72% of independents sharing this view. Even among Democrats, 37% expressed doubts about Biden’s age and ability to serve effectively.
Trump currently leads in most recent polling, both at the state and national levels. His lead has expanded over the past two months, while Biden has struggled to connect with voters.
The president’s remarks also come at a time of growing concern about the state of the U.S. economy, particularly regarding issues related to inflation.
