Former President Joe Biden blasted President Donald Trump’s first 100 days and defended his own performance as president during an appearance Thursday on ABC’s “The View,” his first live television interview since leaving the White House in January. In the joint interview with his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, the former president discussed his ongoing rivalry with Trump and his continued relationship with former Vice President Kamala Harris, who he said still seeks his advice. The Bidens had strong words for Democratic leaders, who they said bought into the idea he needed to drop out of the presidential race after his disastrous June presidential debate. They also dismissed reports and upcoming books that claim the former president experienced cognitive decline while in office. The interview comes as the Bidens are reemerging into public life at a time when the Democratic Party is searching for new leaders and a cohesive strategy for taking on Trump. The former president did an interview with BBC News this week and the former first lady is now chairing a women’s health initiative for the Milken Institute. “I’m trying to figure out what’s the most significant and consequential role I can play, consistent with what I’ve done in the past,” the former president said, adding that he’s writing another book. The appearance also marks the pair’s efforts to defend the former president’s reputation from criticism that his decision to run for a second term – and remain in the race as long as he did – led to Harris’ defeat. Here are three takeaways from the interview with the Bidens: Biden pushes back on Democrats who ousted him The Bidens pushed back on suggestions he experienced significant cognitive decline in his final year in office. “They are wrong,” Biden said. “There is nothing to sustain that.” “I said when I got out of the race, I was still going to be president. I think I did a pretty damn good job the last six months,” he said. But it was his wife, Dr. Biden, who offered the more forceful defense of his time in office and disputed suggestions she had insulated her husband in his final years in office. “The people who wrote those books were not in the White House with us, and they didn’t see how hard Joe worked every single day. I mean, he’d get up, he put in a full day, and then at night he would, I’d be in bed, you know, reading my book, and he was still on the phone, reading his briefings, working with staff. I mean, it was nonstop,” she said. Biden admitted his performance at the CNN debate against Donald Trump last June amounted to a “terrible night,” but argued the suggestions he was unable to do the job of president did not reflect the broader sentiment of the Democratic Party. “The Democratic Party at large didn’t buy into it,” Biden said, pointing to winning Democratic primaries in 2024 despite running largely uncontested in most of those contests. “But the Democratic leadership and some of the very significant contributors did.” Asked if she was too close to the situation to accurately assess her husband’s ability to serve a second term, Dr. Biden said: “I did not create a cocoon around him.” The former first lady also said hearing people describe her as Lady MacBeth was “very hurtful, especially from some of our so-called friends.” Biden sidestepped a question about his current relationship with former President Barack Obama and instead attempted to provide more of an explanation for his decision to bow out of the race. “The only reason I got out of the race was because I didn’t want to have a divided Democratic Party. It’s a simple proposition. And so that’s why I got out of the race,” he said. “I thought it was better to put the country ahead of my interest, my personal interest. I’m not being facetious. I’m being deadly earnest about that.” Relationship with Harris One question facing the Democratic party is whether Harris will run again, either for governor of California next year or president in 2028. Asked if Harris has told him what she plans to do next, President Biden said he speaks with Harris frequently – as recently as Wednesday – and that she does seek his opinion on topics. “She’s got a difficult decision to make about what she’s going to do,” he said. “I hope she stays fully engaged. I think she’s first rate, but we have a lot of really good candidates as well.” Looking back to the last election, the former president said he wasn’t surprised that Harris lost – not because she wasn’t qualified, but because the Trump campaign “went the sexist route” throughout the campaign. “I’ve never seen quite a successful and consistent campaign undercutting the notion that a woman couldn’t lead the country, and a woman of mixed race,” the former president said. At one point the panel brought up a past Harris appearance on “The View,” during which she said there wasn’t anything she could think of that she would have done differently than he did. The former president denied reports that he encouraged there to be no daylight between her campaign and his administration. “I did not advise her to say that,” he said. “I think that was used in a way that is contrary to what she meant.” Taking on Trump Biden and Trump’s longstanding rivalry came up throughout the interview. “He’s had the worst 100 days any president’s ever had,” the former president said. “And I would not say honesty has been a strong point.” Asked why Trump continues to mention him, the former president said: “I beat him.” He repeated his assertion that he could have beat Trump if he’d stayed in the race Throughout the conversation, Biden defended his record. At one point he was asked if he takes responsibility for Trump’s victory and for not pushing to pass border security legislation earlier in his presidency. “Yes, I do, because look, I was in charge, and he won,” Biden said. He then criticized Trump for pushing Republicans to vote against bipartisan border legislation. The panel also asked about Trump’s interest in the former president’s use of an autopen to sign pardons for his family, which Trump has said are “void” and “vacant.” “Oh, he’s vacant,” the former president said.
Key takeaways from Joe Biden and Jill Biden’s interview on ‘The View’
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"Joe and Jill Biden Discuss Presidential Legacy and Political Landscape on 'The View'"
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TruthLens AI Summary
In a recent appearance on ABC's 'The View,' former President Joe Biden criticized President Donald Trump's initial 100 days in office while defending his own presidency. This interview marked Biden's first live television appearance since leaving the White House in January and featured his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, who joined him in discussing their experiences and the current political landscape. The Bidens expressed frustration with Democratic leaders who suggested that he should withdraw from the presidential race following a poor performance in a June debate. They firmly rejected claims from upcoming books that he suffered from cognitive decline during his presidency. The interview comes at a crucial time for the Democratic Party, which is struggling to find new leadership and strategies to confront Trump. Biden shared his ongoing commitment to public service, mentioning that he is writing another book and that he is willing to play a significant role in addressing current issues, particularly in women's health initiatives led by Dr. Biden.
Throughout the interview, Biden addressed the relationship dynamics within the Democratic Party, particularly regarding Vice President Kamala Harris. He confirmed that she continues to seek his advice on various topics and expressed hope that she remains engaged in future political endeavors. The former president acknowledged the challenges Harris faced during her campaign, attributing some of her struggles to the sexist tactics employed by Trump's campaign. As the conversation shifted back to Trump, Biden reiterated his belief that he could have won the election had he remained in the race and labeled Trump's early presidency as a failure. He took responsibility for the Democratic loss while criticizing Trump for obstructing bipartisan legislative efforts. This interview not only served as a platform for the Bidens to defend their legacy but also highlighted their perspectives on the future of the Democratic Party and the ongoing rivalry with Trump.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The interview featuring Joe Biden and Jill Biden on "The View" serves multiple purposes, reflecting the political landscape as well as the former president's positioning within it. A key aspect of the interview is the Bidens' attempts to assert their relevance in a shifting Democratic Party and to counter narratives that may undermine Joe Biden's legacy and cognitive capabilities.
Response to Democratic Leaders' Criticism
The Bidens expressed discontent with some Democratic leaders who suggested that Joe Biden should withdraw from the presidential race following a poor debate performance. This pushback indicates a desire to maintain their influence within the party and to reclaim agency over their narrative. By defending his performance and asserting that he was still capable of leadership, Biden seeks to reassure supporters and reinforce his commitment to the Democratic agenda.
Cognitive Decline Claims
The interview directly addressed and rejected allegations of cognitive decline during his presidency. Joe Biden's statements, particularly the emphatic "They are wrong," serve to reinforce his mental acuity and challenge the media's portrayal of him since leaving office. This defensive stance is likely aimed at re-establishing trust among constituents who may have doubts about his capabilities, especially in light of his decision to run for a second term.
Strategic Re-emergence in Public Life
The timing of this interview is crucial as the Bidens are re-entering the public sphere amid a search for new leadership within the Democratic Party. Joe Biden's comments about writing another book and finding a significant role to play indicate a strategic move to remain relevant and influential. It is a way to position themselves as active participants in shaping the future of the party, rather than being sidelined.
Public Sentiment and Political Impact
The narrative constructed in this interview may be an attempt to bolster public sentiment in favor of the Bidens, particularly among Democratic voters who may feel uncertain about their future. By presenting a unified front, they hope to galvanize support and mitigate any divisions within the party as they gear up for future electoral challenges.
Potential Manipulation and Media Representation
The language used throughout the interview, particularly in terms of rejecting negative portrayals, points to an element of manipulation aimed at controlling the narrative surrounding Joe Biden's presidency. By addressing rumors and criticisms directly, the Bidens seek to redirect public opinion and maintain a favorable image.
In conclusion, the interview appears to be a calculated effort to reaffirm Joe Biden's leadership and cognitive abilities while responding to internal party dynamics. The reliability of the information presented can be viewed through the lens of political strategy, which often aims to evoke emotional responses and reinforce loyalty among supporters. The motivations behind this interview suggest an underlying urgency to maintain relevance and address potential vulnerabilities within the Biden legacy.