On Thursday (June 27), US President Joe Biden and US President Donald Trump squared off in a presidential debate. The debate, which was billed as essential for the forthcoming November elections, was eye-opening for a variety of reasons.
On Tuesday (July 2), during a fundraiser in McLean, Virginia, President Joe Biden justified his poor debate performance.
The president claimed it “wasn’t very smart” of him to travel in the weeks leading up to his first presidential debate against former President Donald Trump, while addressing to supporters with Virginia Representative Don Beyer.
According to a reporter for The Independent, Biden said, “I decided to travel around the world a couple of times… shortly before the debate… I didn’t listen to my staff… and then I almost fell asleep on stage.”
Biden also apologized for his debate performance, but warned supporters that defeating Trump in November was “critical”. Despite Democrats’ concerns about Biden’s performance during Thursday’s debate, surveys continue to suggest that both candidates are tied.
According to the reporter, the president stated, “It is not an excuse, but rather an explanation.”
Democrats ask Biden to withdraw following the debate.
Following the debate on Thursday, some Democrats pushed Biden to withdraw from the race.
On Tuesday, Congressman Lloyd Doggett of Texas joined a growing number of party members who have questioned Joe Biden’s efforts to win reelection, becoming the first sitting Democrat to call for the president’s resignation.
According to the president’s campaign, party officials have no plans to replace the president with another candidate before November.
Biden’s Pre-Debate Travel History
In the weeks leading up to the debate, Biden made many trips. The president traveled to Apulia, Italy, on June 13 to attend the G7 conference. Two days later, he and former President Barack Obama traveled to Los Angeles for a star-studded event.
On June 17, Biden hosted NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the White House to discuss military expenditures and preparations for the alliance’s 75th NATO Summit.
