Biden’s Shaky Performance Raises Concerns

During the debate against former President Donald Trump, Biden appeared unsteady and struggled to maintain his train of thought, but Jill Biden said she had “never, ever seen Joe like that before or since.”

“I don’t know what happened,” Jill Biden told CBS News — “As I watched it, I thought, ‘Oh, my God, he’s having a stroke.’ And it scared me to death.”

Pressure for Biden to Step Down

After the debate, fellow Democrats pushed for Biden to step down as their presidential candidate. Despite the campaign insisting he would continue, Biden ultimately dropped out of the race on July 21, 2024, just months before the election.

Vice President Kamala Harris took over as the Democratic nominee and ran in the 2024 election. She ultimately lost to Trump. In her memoir, Harris criticized Biden’s decision to seek a second term as “recklessness.”

Health and Age Concerns in the Spotlight

Analysts and media outlets raised concerns about Biden’s health, mental acuity, and age — he was 81 at the time, which had already weighed heavily on voters. His campaign team attributed some issues to illness, but the overall performance fueled speculation about his ability to serve as president.

Following the debate, Biden’s frail demeanor was further highlighted at a NATO summit and after a diagnosis of COVID-19. These events, combined with the debate, led to his decision to step down from the race.

Jill Biden has been a constant presence in her husband’s political career, offering support and guidance. She was considered one of his most influential advisors during his presidency and played a key role in his decision to exit the 2024 race.

At a post-debate rally in Atlanta, Jill Biden praised her husband’s performance. “Joe, you did such a great job. You answered every question. You knew all the facts,” she told the crowd. However, many Democratic leaders and donors expressed concerns about the debate’s impact on the campaign.

After the election, Trump has sought to portray Biden as unfit to lead, citing his use of an autopen for signing documents. Trump has also ordered the Justice Department to investigate whether Biden’s health conditions were concealed during his presidency.