I'm doing well": Biden will dispel doubts about mental fitness during appearances
Later, Biden gave a speech in the city of Detroit, where he once again ruled out a withdrawal from his campaign. "There have been many speculations. What will Joe Biden do, will he stay in the race, will he drop out?", Biden told supporters in Detroit, who chanted "Don't give up" in response. "Here's my answer: I'm running and we will win", Biden confirmed.
Biden tried to shift the focus of his speech towards his Republican rival Donald Trump instead. "Americans want a president, not a dictator", Biden said to thunderous applause. Regarding Trump's comment that he would become a "dictator" after a victory in November, Biden vowed to put up firm resistance: "Not over my dead body".
After Biden's disastrous and chaotic performance in the televised debate with Trump about two weeks ago, the oldest president in US history, who is 81 years old, is now facing an increasingly heated debate about his physical and mental fitness for the presidency - even within his own party.
Biden fueled doubts about his mental fitness for a second term on Thursday with two new major gaffes. The 81-year-old referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as "President Putin" and called Vice President Kamala Harris "Vice President Trump".
Meanwhile, the leader of the Democrats in the House of Representatives, Hakeem Jeffries, met with Biden on Thursday evening. He expressed the "full range" of insights, perspectives, and conclusions on the way forward, Jeffries said. He made no further comments.
- During his election campaign appearance in Detroit, Joe Biden dismissed doubts about his intent to stay in the presidential race, affirming, "I'm running and we will win."
- In his speech, the Democratic candidate shifted focus from his fitness concerns to criticize his opponent, stating, "Americans want a president, not a dictator."
- Addressing Trump's assertion of becoming a "dictator" after winning, Biden firmly declared, "Not over my dead body."
- Despite Biden's assurance, the issue of his fitness for the US-President role persists, as highlighted by recent gaffes, such as calling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy "President Putin" and Vice President Kamala Harris "Vice President Trump."
- Amid these concerns, the Democratic leader in the House of Representatives, Hakeem Jeffries, met with Biden, sharing insights and perspectives to help formulate a strategic way forward.
- Biden's Republican rival, Donald Trump, continued to focus on his campaign, giving numerous election campaign appearances and keeping the presidential race in the spotlight, despite Biden's Detroit speech.
