In his first television interview since withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race, President Joe Biden candidly discussed the challenges of aging, admitting it's difficult for him to say his age — 81 — out loud.
"I can't even say how old I am. It's hard for me to get out of my mouth," Biden told CBS News chief election and campaign correspondent Robert Costa in an interview set to air Sunday on CBS Sunday Morning.
Mediaite reported that Biden, who dropped out of the race amid concerns from some Democrats about his age and stamina, emphasized that defeating former President Donald Trump is the top priority.
He said he considered himself a "transition president" and that stepping aside was in the country's best interest.
"It’s hard for me to get out of my mouth," Joe Biden confessed, revealing the personal challenge he faces when discussing his age. The president's openness provides a rare insight into the personal considerations that influence the highest office's decision-making process.
In the interview, President Biden passionately emphasized the necessity of defeating Donald Trump in the upcoming election. He expressed concerns over Trump's rhetoric, fearing it could disrupt a peaceful transfer of power if Trump were to lose.
Immediately following his withdrawal announcement, President Joe Biden offered his robust endorsement to Vice President Kamala Harris, positioning her as a suitable successor to carry forward his administration’s policies. This quick pivot aims to consolidate support within the Democratic Party and ensure continuity in leadership.
Robert Costa pressed on topics ranging from political to personal during the extensive interview. Biden indicated that labeling himself a "transition president" meant recognizing when it was time to step aside for the greater good of the country.
Joe Biden expressed, "Although it was a great honor being president, I think I have an obligation to the country to do the most important thing you could do and that is we must, we must, we must defeat Trump.”
"If Trump loses, I’m not confident at all. He means what he says. We don’t take him seriously. He means it, all the stuff about, ‘If we lose, there’ll be a bloodbath, it’ll have to be a stolen election,'" Biden relayed, echoing the divisive political climate.
In retrospect, the interview was a significant moment for the Biden administration, marking a transition in leadership and a clear stance on future electoral integrity challenges. This strategic endorsement could likely influence the Democratic narrative leading up to the next presidential election.
In conclusion, President Joe Biden’s revealing interview underscored his concerns about aging, the necessity of a capable successor, and the pressing need to ensure a democratic election free of conflict.
His endorsement of Kamala Harris marks a significant strategic alignment within the Democratic Party, emphasizing unity and continuity in leadership as the country approaches another election cycle.
