Biden and his campaign have tried this week to ease concerns and win back support after his poor performance in last week’s debate, but calls for him to resign continue. Those calls, along with his first post-debate interviews, are likely to be a focus of Sunday news shows this week.
Biden’s debate performance, in which he appeared to lack energy and often stumbled over his answers, has sparked widespread panic among Democrats not only about whether he can beat former President Trump in November’s presidential election, but also about whether the 81-year-old Biden could serve another four years if re-elected.
Since then, there have been numerous calls for Biden to halt his campaign and give someone else the opportunity to run, specifically Vice President Kamala Harris, who has pledged her support for Biden.
The president held rallies this week aimed at stoking Democrats’ enthusiasm and proving that debate night was a “bad event.” On Friday, in an interview with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos that was seen as a make-or-break moment for the campaign, the president again stressed that he would stick to his guns.
While it was a better performance than in the debates, he failed to galvanise the enthusiasm of his supporters at a crucial time.
Former Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) was one of the first to call on Biden to step down. He said there was too much at stake in this election and that Harris should be the party’s nominee. Ryan is scheduled to appear on “Fox News Sunday” and will likely discuss his request to Biden.
Other allies of the sitting president are scheduled to appear on shows this weekend, including Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) on CNN’s “State of the Union.” Dingell previously said she was “tired” of people talking about Biden’s age when he is more than fit for the job.
Democrats in Congress are likely to defend the president’s decision to continue the campaign despite a growing number of their colleagues calling for him to step down.
Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina will appear on CBS’ “Face the Nation” this week and will likely talk about Biden. Graham argued Friday that Biden’s continued campaign is “very good news” and will help Republicans at the top and bottom.
While Democrats struggle internally, questions remain about the Republican Party. Trump has already chosen his running mate and has indicated he will announce his nominee at the Republican National Convention, which begins in Milwaukee on July 15.
Sens. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), two rumored front-runners, are scheduled to appear on TV shows this weekend, with Vance scheduled to appear on NBC’s “Meet the Press” and Rubio on CNN.
They will likely talk about Trump’s recent successes, including his debate with Biden and the recent Supreme Court immunity decision granting the president immunity from prosecution for “official duties.”
Below is the full list of guests scheduled to appear on this Sunday’s talk show:
NewsNation’s “The Hill Sunday” — Rep. John Garamendi (D-Calif.)
NBC’s “Meet the Press” — Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) and Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.).
CBS’ “Face the Nation” — Sens. Bernie Sanders (Independent, VT) and Lindsey Graham (Lausanne), and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.
CNN’s “State of the Union” — Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.).
“Fox News Sunday” — Former Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) and Alan Lichtman, professor of history at American University
Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures” — Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Missouri), Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama), Rep. Ana Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley, and New York Post columnist Miranda Devine.
ABC’s “This Week” — A re-airing of President Biden’s interview with George Stephanopoulos.
