CNN host Jake Tapper criticized President Biden on Sunday for his “nonsense” claim that Vice President Kamala Harris could beat President-elect Donald Trump in a recent conversation with reporters.
“Okay, first of all, do you think Kamala could have beaten Trump? That's complete nonsense because she ran against Trump and lost,” Tapper said on “State of the Union.”
Biden told reporters on Friday that his decision to withdraw was to unite the party, adding: “And I think Kamala could have beaten Trump, and I think he could have beaten Trump.” According to mediaite. Mr. Biden has said many times that he is confident he could defeat Mr. Trump in the general election.
“I think he was trying to backtrack because he's spent the last few months basically disrespecting her,” the CNN host added.
CNN's Jake Tapper criticized President Biden on Sunday, claiming Kamala Harris could have beaten Trump in the election. (Screenshot/CNN)
Democratic lawmaker defends his decision to run against Biden due to “declining physical strength'': “Legitimacy''
Kate Bedingfield, Biden's former communications aide, came to the president's defense, saying she was likely trying to give “kudos” to Harris for running a strong campaign.
“I think I could have beaten Trump and I would have won. And Kamala could have beaten Trump and would have won. I thought it didn't matter, it was about uniting the party. And Biden “When people in the party were worried about whether I would be able to transfer, I thought I could win again, but I thought it would be better to unify the party,” he told reporters on Friday.
Bedingfield said Tapper's analysis was unfair, saying, “I think what he was trying to do there is acknowledge that she ran a strong race and be proud of her.'' That's how he articulated it.”
President Joe Biden speaks at a reception for Democratic new members of Congress in the State Dining Room of the White House on Sunday, January 5, 2025 in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Seneta)
For more information on media and culture, click here
When asked, USA Today interview “It's presumptuous of me to say that, but I think so,” Biden said if he would have won had he not abstained on July 21. USA Today summarized that he continued, “Based his views on polling that he has reviewed.”
CNN pollster Harry Enten said Biden's claims are nonsense.
“Based on polling data, I would classify any statement that Biden could have defeated Trump as 'total lunacy,'” Enten wrote in an X post on Wednesday. “Biden was far behind Trump at the time he left office. Throughout 2024, Biden had never led, and no incumbent president who was less popular than Biden had ever won. do not have.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“Why do I say what he said was an absolutely ridiculous statement that he could have won the election in 2024 if he had stayed in the race? Just look at this,” Enten said. added.
He also pointed to poll numbers from around the time Biden dropped out of the race, particularly in the Great Lakes battleground states, where “Donald Trump was leading in all three states.”
Fox News' Alexander Hall contributed to this report.
