President Joe Biden addressed rumors on Wednesday during an appearance on The View, clarifying that his decision to step back from the 2024 presidential race was not influenced by former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The 81-year-old president took the opportunity to dispel the widely circulated narrative that Pelosi played a significant role in urging him to exit the race.
Asked by co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin whether he felt "his hand was forced" and how his relationship with Pelosi stands, Biden responded firmly: "My relationship is fine... I never fully believed the assertions that somehow there was this overwhelming reluctance to my running again. I didn't sense that." He continued, noting, "There were some folks who would like to see me step aside... but that wasn't the reason I stepped down. I started thinking about it."
Biden's acknowledgment of his age played a role in the decision. "You know, it's hard to think of - I know you're only 30 - but it's hard for me to even say how old I am," he said with a touch of humor, adding, "It's like, 'Holy God, that can't be right.'" Despite the rumors and speculation surrounding his exit, Biden reaffirmed that, had he remained in the race, he was confident in his chances of winning. "I was confident I would beat Trump. He's a loser," the president said, referencing the possibility of facing the former president in a rematch.
The exchange on The View comes after weeks of speculation regarding Biden's cognitive and physical fitness for office, leading many to believe he was under significant pressure from key Democratic figures, including Pelosi, to step aside. The former president has faced growing concerns within his party about whether he could lead a successful campaign against Donald Trump, who remains a formidable opponent for Republicans.
Reports had circulated that Pelosi, a key figure in the Democratic Party, had privately urged Biden to reconsider running. According to political insiders, Pelosi expressed concerns over the potential impact of Biden's campaign on down-ballot races and the future of the Democratic Party. While Biden rejected any notion of being forced out, many political analysts see Pelosi's influence as a critical factor in the president's decision to step down.
Further in the interview, Biden took the opportunity to criticize Trump and his stance on democracy, pointing to the events of January 6th. "He really does not believe in democracy and the guardrails that our system has set up for the abuse of power," Biden asserted. Recounting his experience on the day of the Capitol riot, Biden said, "On January 6th, I was sitting in my office waiting to get ready to be sworn in... and I went out and made a speech on democracy."
While Biden may no longer be running, he expressed full confidence in Vice President Kamala Harris, who he has endorsed as the Democratic Party's nominee for 2024. In a speech given earlier in July, Biden declared, "My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And it's been the best decision I've made." Biden urged Democrats to rally behind Harris, stating, "Democrats - it's time to come together and beat Trump. Let's do this."
Speculation over Biden's campaign future had intensified in recent months, as concerns grew over his approval ratings and his ability to maintain a robust campaign. Despite early indications that he would seek a second term, the growing clamor within the party for fresh leadership, and Pelosi's alleged private urgings, appear to have contributed to his decision. However, Biden made clear during his appearance that his choice to step down was rooted in personal reflection rather than external pressure.
While Pelosi has yet to publicly comment extensively on Biden's decision, she reportedly expressed her satisfaction with how the situation was handled. "I did what I had to do," Pelosi was quoted as saying in a recent interview.
