Outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden expressed confidence on Friday that he would have defeated Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential elections had he stayed in the race. Biden highlighted that his decision to withdraw from the election was made to maintain unity within the Democratic Party.
When asked if he regretted stepping aside and whether this move facilitated Trump’s victory, Biden stated, “I don’t think so. I think I would have beaten Trump, could have beaten Trump, and I think that Kamala (Harris) could have beaten Trump, would have beaten Trump.”
A Strategic Withdrawal
In July 2024, months before the election, Biden announced his withdrawal, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as his replacement. The decision came amidst mounting criticism from within the Democratic Party following a poor performance in a debate against Trump and growing concerns about his health.
Explaining his decision, Biden said, “It wasn’t about—I thought it was important to unify the party, and when the party was worried about whether or not I was going to be able to move even though I thought I could win again, I thought it was better to unify the party.”
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Biden added, “It was the greatest honor of my life to be president of the United States, but I didn’t want to be the one who caused a party that wasn’t unified to lose an election. And that’s why I stepped aside. But I was confident she could win.”
Confidence in Kamala Harris
Despite Harris’s loss to Trump, Biden reiterated his belief in her ability to lead the party and run for the presidency in the future. “I think that’s a decision she might think she’s competent to run again in four years. That’ll be a decision for her to make,” he said.
As he prepares to leave office on January 20, handing over the presidency to Donald Trump, Biden made it clear that he has no intention of withdrawing from public life. “I’m not going to be out of sight, out of mind,” he affirmed.
In response to inquiries about pardoning himself or family members, particularly his son Hunter Biden, the outgoing president emphasized, “I have no plans to pardon myself. I have done nothing wrong.”
Biden’s decision to step aside, though controversial, underscores his prioritization of party unity over personal ambition. As he closes his term, he leaves a complex legacy shaped by his leadership, decisions, and dedication to the Democratic Party.
