President Biden told supporters on July 4 that he has no plans to withdraw from the election, despite continued struggles and gaffes at unscheduled events.
The president delivered his Fourth of July address on the South Lawn of the White House on Thursday, speaking mostly without issue, except for a few moments when he went off-script, aided by a teleprompter.
“I was in a World War I cemetery in France, a cemetery that one of our colleagues, a former president, didn’t want to go to. I probably shouldn’t say that,” Biden told a White House audience. “But either way, we have to remember who we are. We are the United States of America.”
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First Lady Jill Biden and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff watch President Joe Biden raise Vice President Kamala Harris’ hand as they watch Fourth of July fireworks over the National Mall from the White House balcony. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
But Biden’s camp is unfazed by the president’s gaffe and is insisting he will remain in the race.
At one point, a South Lawn protester yelled in support of Biden from the crowd, saying, “Keep fighting! We need you!”
“You’re right. I’m not going anywhere,” Biden responded.
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Supporters listen during a campaign event for President Joe Biden at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds in Raleigh, North Carolina.
The president has come under increased scrutiny since his widely panned performance in a June 27 debate with former President Donald Trump, and calls for him to withdraw from the 2024 election have grown.
Biden, who at 81 is the oldest president in U.S. history, has come under intense scrutiny from politicians, commentators, political pundits and party donors amid concerns about his cognitive ability and his ability to serve as the nation’s commander in chief.
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President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, wearing dresses with “VOTE” printed on them, wave to supporters at a post-debate rally in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Alison Joyce/Getty Images)
White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients reportedly held an all-staff meeting on Wednesday, urging team members to turn off the “noise” and focus on the task of governing.
While Zients acknowledged that there have been tough days since Biden and Trump faced off in Atlanta, he highlighted the Democratic administration’s accomplishments and record to White House aides and said governing will be even more important as the race heats up, especially after the Fourth of July celebrations.
Fox News Digital’s Kendall Teets contributed to this report.
