US presidential election - Biden is combative: "I'm not going anywhere"
President Joe Biden is confident in the heated presidential campaign debate about his potential withdrawal as a candidate. "I won't go anywhere," Biden said at a barbecue for active military personnel in the White House garden on the occasion of the National Holiday.
His Republican challenger Donald Trump meanwhile called for another TV debate. "Let's organize another debate, but this time without taboos - a discussion where only we two are on the stage and talk about the future of our country," Trump wrote on his platform "Truth Social."
Biden is fighting to save his presidential campaign after his disastrous TV debate performance against Trump last week. He had given a desastrous account at the evening television duel, promising several times and losing the thread. After the performance, a debate ensued in the US about whether Biden is indeed the right candidate for the Democrats in the November presidential election.
On this Friday, he will give a TV interview to dispel doubts about his qualification. It is scheduled to be broadcast at prime time (2.00 am German time on Saturday). During the interview, he will have to speak freely. At his engagements on the National Holiday, Biden spoke largely off-script, but he also stumbled here and there.
Short speech on the National Holiday
In the US, every appearance by the oldest president in the country's history is now watched with hawk-like eyes. His actual speech on the National Holiday was remarkably short in the evening. US Vice President Kamala Harris praised Biden excessively and called him "an extraordinary president." The National Holiday of the USA on July 4, which goes back to the Declaration of Independence in 1776, is traditionally celebrated with parties, parades, and fireworks.
In the afternoon, Biden received soldiers and soldiers in the garden of the government seat in the US capital Washington. After a short read-out of a speech, he apparently turned to his guests again spontaneously and assured them, "I won't go anywhere." A supporter had called out before: "Fight on! We need you!"
Reports: Biden plans to limit evening engagements
Biden's health and the question of whether he is still fit for office has been a topic in the past few months. Now reports on his physical condition are causing a stir. In a conversation with governors and governors, Biden reportedly said that he needs to sleep more and work less. That means limiting his participation in events after 8 pm. At the same time, he made it clear that he intends to stay in the race for the White House.
CNN reported that Biden's remarks frustrated some of the governors. Already before, US media had reported that Biden is often less fit in the evening and that the risk of stuttering is particularly high at such engagements. The TV debate with Trump a week ago also took place in the evening.
Trump challenges Biden again
Trump uses his opponent's current weakness for his own purposes. In recent days, the usually rather volatile Republican has been remarkably restrained. Now, the 78-year-old wrote that Biden's incompetence would be clearly evident in another debate.
A second TV duel is planned anyway - and that is in September, hence after the Democrats' party convention in Chicago in August. There, Biden is supposed to be officially nominated as the presidential candidate. In the primaries, he collected the necessary delegate votes for this. It is now open whether he can continue to withstand the pressure in his own party - or if he throws in the towel instead.
- Despite facing criticism following his poor performance in the presidential election campaign debate, President Joe Biden expressed confidence in continuing his campaign, stating at a barbecue event, "I won't go anywhere."
- As the #USElection2024 approaches, former President Donald Trump calls for another TV debate with Biden, stating on his platform "Truth Social," "Let's organize another debate, but this time without taboos."
- Trump is capitalizing on Biden's weaknesses, claiming that another TV debate will revealingly show Biden's "incompetence."
- The future of both parties could hinge on the upcoming September presidential election debate, as the nomination for Biden's spot as the Democratic candidate will be finalized at the party convention in Chicago in August.
- The upcoming 4th of July national holiday in the USA is traditionally celebrated with parties, parades, and fireworks, but this year's celebration is especially significant, as Biden's speech will be closely observed and scrutinized by the public.
