WASHINGTON:
In his first television interview since withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race, President Joe Biden warned that Republican candidate Donald Trump poses a significant threat to American security.
Speaking with CBS News in a pre-recorded interview aired on Sunday, Biden expressed his concerns about the implications of a Trump victory, stating, “Mark my words, if he wins… this election, watch what happens. He’s a genuine danger to American security.” He emphasised the importance of democracy at this pivotal moment in world history.
Biden, 81, has largely remained out of the public eye since ending his campaign, following a debate performance against Trump that heightened concerns about his age and cognitive abilities. In the brief interview, recorded at the White House last week, Biden appeared physically frail but mentally sharp. He acknowledged his shortcomings in the debate but reassured viewers that he has “no serious problem” health-wise.
Explaining his decision to exit the race, Biden cited concerns from fellow Democratic politicians who feared his continued candidacy might harm their chances in upcoming elections. “A number of my Democratic colleagues in the House and Senate thought that I was going to hurt them in the races,” Biden said.
He added that his primary objective is to prevent Trump from regaining power, suggesting that his presence in the race would have been a distraction, particularly given the reluctance of key figures like former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to openly support his campaign.
Biden stressed the importance of preserving democracy, stating, “I have an obligation to the country to do what is the most important thing we can do, and that is — we must, we must, we must defeat Trump.”
Biden also expressed pride in his achievements during his presidency, including job creation, investment, and recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.
He vowed to fully support Vice President Kamala Harris, who has now taken his place on the Democratic ticket. “I’m going to do whatever Kamala thinks I can do to help most,” Biden said.
Biden’s age had become a central issue in the 2024 campaign, and his withdrawal has boosted Democratic prospects, with Harris experiencing a surge in support that has left Trump facing challenges.
Biden reflected on his initial intention to serve only one term, explaining that he had been encouraged to seek a second term but ultimately decided against it. “I thought of myself as being a transition president — I can’t even say how old I am. It’s hard for me to get it out of my mouth — but things got moving so quickly, it didn’t happen,” he told CBS’s Robert Costa.
As Harris holds large rallies in key swing states, Trump’s relatively light campaign schedule has drawn criticism. Instead, Trump’s running mate, J.D. Vance, has taken on a more prominent role, appearing on multiple Sunday morning political talk shows to address various issues, including child care, asylum seekers, and abortion.
During a tense exchange with CBS’s Margaret Brennan, Vance expressed frustration over the focus on abortion, while Brennan pressed for clearer answers. Vance also claimed that Harris is the one “calling the shots” in the Biden administration, questioning who else might be in charge if not her.
