President Joe Biden is not considering stepping down, the White House confirmed on Wednesday, as it scrambled to manage the fallout from his recent debate performance and growing concerns among Democrats about his viability in the 2024 election. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was unequivocal when asked if Biden was contemplating stepping aside. “Absolutely not,” she said, adding that this stance was directly communicated by the campaign as well.
Jean-Pierre also dismissed reports suggesting Biden is evaluating his position in the race. “That is absolutely false,” she stated. “We asked the president, and he said it is absolutely false. That is coming directly from him.”
Sources have told ABC News that President Biden has privately acknowledged the critical nature of the coming days in determining his future in the race. The White House and Biden’s campaign are making concerted efforts to quell concerns following last Thursday’s debate, although some allies have questioned why Biden didn’t act more swiftly to reassure the public.
Biden is set to meet with Democratic lawmakers at the White House later on Wednesday, nearly a week after his debate with Donald Trump in Atlanta. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, who is attending the meeting and is seen as a potential replacement if Biden steps aside, told CNN that the president “needs to communicate more” to address his poor debate performance.
In an effort to turn the page, the White House announced a series of new events and interviews, including campaign stops in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, local radio interviews, and a television interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos on Friday. Jean-Pierre acknowledged Biden had a “bad night” but emphasized the focus on moving forward.
Pressure within the Democratic Party has intensified, with Texas Rep. Lloyd Doggett becoming the first member of Congress to call for Biden to withdraw from the race. In response, Biden has been in damage control mode, speaking with House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Democratic Rep. James Clyburn, and Sen. Chris Coons.
A top Biden aide told ABC News that the president’s message to congressional leaders is that he still has a path to victory, the race hasn’t changed much, and his campaign remains well-funded and organized. Chief of Staff Jeff Zients also held an all-staff call to emphasize the importance of continuing their work and supporting one another.
Sources described the call as a “straightforward pep talk,” with Zients advising staff to “tune out” the chatter and focus on their mission. Zients was the only speaker and did not take questions.
The Biden campaign is also working to address internal party concerns about the president’s standing in the race. A campaign memo sent to congressional allies, obtained by ABC News, cited internal polling showing a tight race between Biden and Trump, within the margin of error. The memo stated that Biden maintained his support among his 2020 voters and that opinions were largely unchanged.
Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris also participated in an all-staff campaign meeting to boost morale. This comes ahead of Biden’s meeting with Democratic governors, including Pritzker, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Sources told ABC News that Biden has privately acknowledged the critical nature of the next few days. He has told at least two close associates that he understands the difficulty of his political situation. While he still views himself as the best candidate to defeat Trump, he has signaled to one ally that he is keeping an “open mind” about his path forward.
Biden has several campaign events scheduled in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, an interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos, and a news conference at the NATO summit. These events are seen as opportunities for Biden to change public perceptions.
Publicly and privately, Biden is making calls and arranging meetings to communicate his belief that he remains the strongest candidate to take on Trump. He has spoken to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Chris Coons, and Rep. Jim Clyburn, among others.
Biden was scheduled to have a private lunch with Vice President Kamala Harris and a meeting with Democratic governors, both added to his schedule after the debate. A person close to the president said he understands the stakes of the election and the importance of defeating Trump, insisting he is ready for the moment.
“I would not be running again if I didn’t believe with all my heart and soul I can do this job,” Biden said in North Carolina after the debate.
Biden has been consistent in his stance that he doesn’t want to be pressured into making a decision. He has remained “calm” during this period, according to those who have interacted with him, and close associates are giving him space to see if that continues.
The New York Times reported that Biden is weighing whether to continue in the race, a claim the campaign angrily denied. “That claim is absolutely false. If the New York Times had provided us with more than 7 minutes to comment, we would have told them so,” said Andrew Bates, White House senior deputy press secretary.
Sources contacted by ABC News said Biden has not gone so far as to say he cannot salvage his campaign.
As questions grow about Biden’s future as the Democratic nominee, some voters have indicated their preferences for potential successors. Vice President Kamala Harris is seen as a likely top contender, with polling showing her nearly tied with Trump in a potential matchup. Other potential candidates include Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Despite the speculation, Biden’s campaign is pushing forward, emphasizing his readiness and commitment to the race. Biden will sit down with ABC News on Friday for his first television interview since the debate, aiming to address concerns and reinforce his position as the Democratic nominee.
Source: ABC News
