US elections: Biden tries to reassure his donors after the "lost" debate against Trump

Sylvia Claire / July 6, 2024

U.S. President Joe Biden attended three campaign fundraisers on Saturday and tried to reassure the most generous donors, claiming he is in a position to win the presidential election despite his chaotic debate performance against his predecessor Donald Trump.

“I didn’t have a good night, but neither did Trump,” recounted the Democratic candidate at one of the fundraisers held in the northeastern states of New York and New Jersey.

“I promise you we’re going to win this election,” he added. Jill Biden forcefully defended her husband of 81 years, in the face of calls to withdraw his candidacy, asserting that “Joe is not only the right person for the job, he’s the only person for the job”.

Both were in New Jersey on Saturday for a fundraiser in which the state’s Democratic governor, Phil Murphy, was also taking part. “I understand your concern after the debate,” said the American president. “I’m going to fight harder.”

Joe Biden’s candidacy has been in doubt ever since his calamitous performance in the debate against Donald Trump on Thursday night, with swallowed words, unfinished sentences and a haggard expression, a counter-performance that shook his supporters and caused the media to react.

In an editorial, the prestigious American daily New York Times portrayed Mr. Biden as “the shadow of a leader”, having “failed his own test” in the televised duel: “The greatest public service Mr. Biden could perform today would be to announce that he will not seek re-election”.

No Democratic Party figure has yet rallied to call for him to step down. Former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton reiterated their support for Joe Biden on Friday.