US President Joe Biden is anticipated to hold discussions regarding the future of his re-election campaign with his family after a disastrous debate with Republican challenger Donald Trump, as reported by NBC News on Saturday. The network mentioned sources indicating that the only opinion that will have an impact on Biden’s decision is that of his wife, Jill.
Thursday’s televised confrontation raised concerns about the 81-year-old president’s capability to hold office, with Biden’s performance being labeled in the media as “incoherent,” “stumbling,” and “unclear.” Senior Democrats and their donors are now actively advocating for his withdrawal from the race, according to various reports.
NBC reported that five individuals familiar with the situation mentioned Joe and Jill Biden would be meeting with their children and grandchildren at Camp David on Sunday as part of a pre-planned trip. The network stated that there is an agreement among top Democrats that Biden should be given the space to determine his next steps and that “only the president, in consultation with his family, can decide whether to continue or end his campaign prematurely.”
One source informed the outlet that only two individuals have a genuine say in the matter – the president and his wife. “Anyone who doesn’t comprehend how deeply personal and familial this decision will be is not well-informed about the situation,” he added.
This sentiment was reiterated by another NBC source, stating: “The only person who holds the ultimate influence over him is the first lady. If she determines that there should be a change of direction, then there will be a change of direction.”
Despite the debate being widely viewed as a humiliation for Biden, his team has publicly stated that he has no intentions of withdrawing from the race. The president has acknowledged his subpar performance against Trump, stating at a rally on Friday: “I don’t debate as well as I used to,” but “know how to tell the truth… I know right from wrong. And I know how to do this job, I know how to get things done. And I know what millions of Americans know: When you get knocked down.”
