Biden And Closest Allies Are Furious After Shocking Development
Growing anger and frustration gripped Joe Biden’s inner circle, including the president himself, as calls for him to drop out intensified following a poor debate performance and plummeting poll numbers.
According to sources who spoke to NBC News, Biden felt “[i]solated, frustrated and angry. He felt betrayed by allies who turned on him in his hour of need.” An insider was quoted saying, “He’s really pissed off.”
NBC reported that Biden spent the weekend with several close advisers and family members, excluding Vice President Kamala Harris, White House chief of staff Jeff Zients, and campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon.
The report also mentioned that several advisers warned Biden he had no path to victory. “It became a no-win situation, a self-fulfilling prophecy,” former White House official Cedric Richmond commented. Without financial support and backing, “it’s impossible to win, and he’s always put country and party first.”
Biden's loyalists were also frustrated with the Democratic Party members urging him to step aside instead of supporting him, as reported by NBC.
“Here is a man who has always talked about dignity,” NBC quoted a longtime Biden ally. “And what was happening to him in a very public setting was undignified. Where does the president go to get his dignity back?”
CNN analyst Bakari Sellers said he had heard from several Democratic lawmakers and operatives who were upset about Biden’s exit from the race, as reported by Fox News.
“My phone is blowing up with people who are pissed off, and the reason they’re pissed off is because they feel like people from on high pushed Joe Biden out the door,” he said.
“A text that I just got from a friend was like, ‘If they pushed Joe Biden out the door, what are they going to do with Kamala Harris?’ They will probably try to push her, too,” he added.
Biden, unseen in public since last week and since announcing via social media his decision to end his reelection bid, raised new health concerns and conspiracy theories by calling into now-VP Harris’ headquarters on Monday to show his support for her campaign.
“I know yesterday’s news was surprising, and it was hard for you to hear, but it was the right thing to do,” Biden told his former campaign staffers in Wilmington, Del. “I know it’s hard because you’ve poured your heart and soul into me to help us win this thing, help me get this nomination, help me win the nomination and then go on to win the presidency.”
Calling from his home in Rehoboth Beach, Del., Biden said, “I think we made the right decision.” He added: “The name has changed at the top of the ticket, but the mission hasn’t changed at all.”
“And by the way, I’m not going anywhere. I’m gonna be out there on the campaign with her, with Kamala. I’m going to be working like hell, both as a sitting president, getting legislation passed, as well as in campaigning,” Biden said, according to the New York Post. “You know what? We still need to save this democracy and Trump is still a danger to the community, he’s a danger to the nation.”
Biden added: “I’ll be doing whatever Kamala wants me or needs me to do.”
However, sources noted that Biden’s manner of speaking was concerning. In a video of the call obtained by The Post, Biden's voice was raspy and his speech somewhat slurred, raising alarms about potential advanced dementia or other mental decline.