Newsroom
In the wake of Joe Biden's recent debate with Donald Trump, Democratic pressures mount for the American president to be forthright about his health condition. Questions swirl about the responsibilities of his closest aides.
For the first time on Tuesday, Texas Representative Lloyd Doggett urged Biden to withdraw from the upcoming election campaign, citing concerns over his performance in the recent televised showdown.
"I hope he will make the difficult and painful decision to step aside. I respectfully call on him to do so," Doggett stated in a media release. "President Biden saved our democracy by liberating us from Trump in 2020. He must not deliver us back to Trump in 2024," he added.
Illinois Representative Mike Quigley earlier emphasized on CNN, "We need to be honest with ourselves that it wasn't just a terrible night." Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, speaking on WPRI-TV, underscored the need for transparency from Biden and his team regarding his condition, describing Thursday's debate as "truly an anomaly."
Nancy Pelosi, former Speaker of the House and a powerful figure within the party, deemed it "fair" for some to question Biden's health. "I think it's fair to wonder whether this is just an isolated incident or a (permanent) condition," she told MSNBC, while also applauding the president's "vision."
"I'm not a doctor. I can't say what will happen in three or four years, but based on my experience, I believe he will continue to be a great president of the United States," Pelosi asserted.
Since the debate, Biden has not given any live interviews or press conferences, a departure from the norm following major events like the 90-minute clash with Trump, which left many uneasy.
Questions also arise about the accountability of Biden's close associates, particularly advisers like Ron Klain, Anita Dunn, and Mike Donilon, as well as his wife, Jill Biden. Senator Peter Welch accused them of arrogance for refusing to provide a clear answer. "Let's face the reality," he demanded in an interview with Semafor, published today.
Recent reports, notably from Axios and Politico, suggest a president who is functional only between 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM and relies heavily on scripted notes to avoid controversy.
The White House has consistently dismissed inquiries about the president's mental acuity, often with visible irritation. A recent Wall Street Journal survey alleging Biden's "decline" was met with sharp criticism from his communications team.
