After leaving the 2024 Presidential race, President Joe Biden has come out of his political silence with an open and candid interview with Parami News’ Robert Costa.
This Sunday’s dialogue that took place at the White House provides some insight into Biden’s thoughts on the ongoing election and his role in the future of Democratic Party politics.
Biden spoke more directly about a possible Trump victory than he had before and what it would mean to have Kamala Harris as president. For instance, Biden referred to Trump’s warning for example when he described Donald Trump as a genuine menace to America’s democracy due to what former president said after losing November elections.
According to Biden, “Trump means what he says…all the stuff about if we lose there will be a bloodbath. It’ll have to be a stolen election.” in fact this is similar to Trump’s prediction that “If we don’t win, this country will never ever be an honest-to-goodness country again” should he not win reelection.
Earlier comments from Trump hinted at a tumultuous aftermath if he did not get re-elected such as threats to severe economic consequences and questions about American democracy going forward. In March 2024 rally, Trump said that “If you are listening, President Xi – and you and I are friends – but that guy knows how I deal with people. You’re putting up those big monster car manufacturing plants in Mexico right now … you’re not gonna hire Americans and then sell us cars; nope. I’m going to put a hundred percent duty on every single automobile built there coming across that border and you ain’t gonna sell these cars if I win.”
“Now if I don’t get elected, it’ll be all over —that’s just one part,” he added. “The whole thing will go bust – that would probably be the least of it. But they won’t sell them any longer because they build gigantic factories.” “I don’t know that you’re ever gonna have another fair election in this country again if this one isn’t,” Trump added.
Another aspect Biden talked about was his own political journey and stepping aside from the race. He disclosed that his decision to quit stemmed from the concerns of Democratic colleagues who feared his continued running might hurt their campaigns. “If I stayed, it would’ve been a matter of discussion,” reasoned Biden. “I thought it would be a real distraction.”
Despite stepping aside, Biden offered full backing for Kamala Harris and her campaign throughout the interview with Costa. While he believed Harris can lead well enough to him, he admitted uncertainty on how the power transfer would go in case Trump loses. Biden had good things to say about Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz branding them as “one hell of a team” hence pledged support for Harris’ campaign wherever possible.
Biden also acknowledged having a particularly difficult day during one of his face-offs with Trump and attributed those struggles to sickness rather than any serious health problem. “Because I was sick, I had a really, really bad day”, he said. “But I don’t have anything serious.”
In broader terms, Biden talked about wanting to serve as a transitional president initially and recognized how hard it has been for him balancing between being President and keeping up with rapidly moving politics.
