President Joe Biden has roundly rejected concerns that his stamina is waning and reports that he is aware of his limitations – one of which is that he might have to end his term early – insisting he simply needs to pace himself.
The reporter said at a press conference on Thursday that the presidency is “the most stressful job in the world” and that it is a round-the-clock job.
“Given the limitations you acknowledge today, how can you be sure you’ll be able to tolerate it next year, two years from now, four years from now?” the reporter asked the 81-year-old man.
Mr Biden seemed confused and pressed him on what limits he was accepting, to which the reporter responded by pointing out reports that Mr Biden needs to go to bed early, finishing his days around 8pm.
“That’s not true,” Biden said, denying the reports and appearing to try to spin them into a story about other people wanting to end the event early.
“What I said is, instead of starting at 7 o’clock every day and going to bed at 12 at night, it would be wise to slow down a little bit. And for example, instead of starting fundraisers at 9 o’clock, start at 8 o’clock so people can be home by 10 o’clock. That’s what I’m saying,” he said, claiming that his schedule was packed.
Biden then oddly referenced former President Donald Trump, questioning what he has done compared to Trump.
“Where was Trump? He was in his golf cart, filling out his scorecard before he even hit a ball. So he’s done virtually nothing,” Biden said, without mentioning that Trump has continued to campaign and recently held a rally in Doral, Florida.
Biden continued, “There were roughly 20 major events, some with thousands of people in attendance.”
“Whether it was sports or politics, there was always this feeling of just carrying on. You just have to pace yourself a little bit more,” he said.
“I want to pace myself for the next debate. I can’t travel 15 time zones a week before,” Trump said, repeating the White House’s belated official excuse for his poor debate performance.
Reporter: If jet lag really was the cause of Biden’s dismal debate performance, why didn’t you say so yesterday?
Karine Jean-Pierre: “It was my mistake.” pic.twitter.com/xTEVXRrCSA
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 3, 2024
“Anyway, that’s what it was about,” Biden said. “That’s what it was about.”
Mocking the press conference gaffe, Trump wrote, “Bad Boy Joe started his ‘big boy’ press conference with ‘I wouldn’t have picked VP Trump as my VP, but I don’t think she’s qualified to be president.’ Well done, Joe!”
