The first lady, Jill Biden, has revealed that her husband, President Joe Biden, did not feel well during the recent presidential debate with former president Donald Trump. The 81-year-old incumbent appeared frail and disoriented throughout the event, leading to widespread criticism of his performance. His wife acknowledged that he had been unwell, attributing his difficulties to his age and a lack of energy.
The first lady addressed concerns over her husband’s well-being during a fundraising event in Greenwich Village, New York, where she attempted to reassure donors by emphasizing that the president’s debate performance should not be taken as an indication of his overall abilities or leadership. The Democratic Party has been alarmed by the president’s perceived decline, with some major donors reportedly demanding his replacement on the November 5 election ticket.
Despite concerns about Biden’s age and cognitive abilities, his team has attempted to downplay the significance of his performance during the debate. They have attributed his struggles to a cold, over-preparation, and inadequate fact-checking by the CNN moderators. However, these explanations have not been universally accepted, with many questioning whether the president is still capable of leading the country effectively.
The Biden family has urged the president not to end his re-election campaign, but instead directed their ire at his staff members, including senior adviser Anita Dunn, her husband, and attorney Bob Bauer, who played Trump in rehearsals at Camp David, as well as former chief of staff Ron Klain. Family members have reportedly been frustrated with the team that prepared the president for the debate and are considering firing some top aides and other staff members.
The first lady’s revelation about the president’s health has only added to the uncertainty surrounding his prospects in the upcoming election, as many Democrats worry about the potential consequences of a weakened Biden candidacy. As the campaign continues, it remains to be seen how the Democratic Party will respond to these concerns and whether Joe Biden can regain the confidence of both his supporters and the American public at large.