Joe Biden Faces Intense Scrutiny Amid Calls to Withdraw from Presidential Race

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Emmynet24 News Media — President Joe Biden took to the stage Thursday night in a press conference that could determine the fate of his presidency, his re-election hopes, and his political career. At the conclusion of a NATO summit, Biden faced the media for the first time since a disastrous debate with rival Donald Trump, which had led to growing calls from within his party for him to drop out of the race.

Biden, 81, has faced ongoing questions about his age and capability to serve another term, concerns that were amplified following the debate. However, during the hour-long session, he dismissed these concerns and reiterated his commitment to finishing the job he started in 2021.

“If I slow down and can’t get the job done, that’s a sign I shouldn’t be doing it,” Biden said. “But there’s no indication of that yet.” 

Biden's statement could be seen as either a display of steadfast determination or a refusal to acknowledge the gravity of his situation. Shortly after the news conference, several more Democratic members of Congress joined at least a dozen other lawmakers in urging Biden to step down.

The president’s campaign now faces the critical question of whether this dissent will continue to grow or if it can be contained. The situation was exacerbated by two significant gaffes during his appearances. At the press conference, he mistakenly referred to Vice President Kamala Harris as "Vice-President Trump," and earlier, at a NATO event, he introduced Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as "President Putin."

Biden quickly corrected the first mistake but failed to catch the second, despite the visible reactions from the audience and his Cabinet members. These errors, though isolated, may fuel further concerns among Democrats about potential future missteps.

Despite the challenges, Biden appeared resolute and optimistic, laughing and smiling through the barrage of questions. He maintained that he could keep up with global leaders like Russia's Vladimir Putin and China's Xi Jinping, despite lingering hoarseness from the recent debate.

Biden firmly stated he did not need cognitive tests, dismissing the idea that even extensive medical evaluations would satisfy his critics. He expressed confidence in his ability to beat Donald Trump in the November election and suggested that Democratic delegates were free to change their minds, though he quipped, "It's not going to happen."

He acknowledged he would consider stepping aside if presented with data indicating he couldn’t win but pointed to polls showing a tight race. An Ipsos survey released earlier on Thursday had Biden just one point behind Trump, within the margin of error, indicating stable support for both candidates.

However, this polling data may not alleviate the anxiety among Democratic officials. Reports suggest more politicians are ready to voice their concerns about Biden’s campaign now that the NATO summit has concluded.

The president faces further tests, including a high-profile interview with NBC’s Lester Holt on Monday. With donor anxiety growing and reports of internal campaign discussions about Biden’s future, the road ahead appears challenging.

Yet, Biden made it clear he intends to fight on. The 81-year-old, at times gripping the lectern with both hands, insisted he was the "best-qualified person" to lead the country and showed no signs of exiting the race quietly.