While former vice president Joe Biden claims responsibility for Trump’s election triumph, he argues racism and misogyny played a role in Kamala Harris’ defeat.
In a Thursday interview with ABC’s “The View,” Biden—who resigned from government in January—discussed the Democrats’ dismal 2024 election, worries about his age, and Trump’s contentious leadership. According to the 82-year-old Democrat, he has purposefully stayed out of the public eye until this week so that the new Republican president may have more than 100 days to get his act together, as is customary during a presidential transition.
When asked about the most recent election, Biden expressed astonishment at the impact of gender and race.
The accusation that “a woman couldn’t lead the country and a woman of mixed race” took a “sexist route,” according to Biden.
“I accept responsibility because I was in charge and he won,” he continued.
Since his departure from the White House, Biden has mainly avoided involvement in national politics.
Although he stated on Thursday that he has kept in touch with Harris on a regular basis and gave her advice on her political future, he is not anticipated to have a pivotal role in Democratic affairs as the party transitions to a new leadership generation.
The choice she must make about her future actions is not an easy one. Biden said, “I hope she stays engaged,” but he didn’t provide any particular recommendations.
After a dismal debate performance in June, Biden faced worries about his cognitive deterioration, which he refuted. Even when Democratic party officials privately urged him to get out of the race, he chose not to condemn them.
After his “terrible” debate performance, he stated, “the only reason I got out of the race was because I didn’t want to have a divided Democratic Party.” He went on to say that the party as a whole didn’t believe the rumors about his age, “but the Democratic leadership and some of the very significant contributors did.”
On Thursday, Biden and his former wife, Jill Biden, had their first joint interview since she left the White House. She denied the accusation that she shielded her husband from public scrutiny due to his age while in government.
According to her, the criticism came from “some of our so-called friends” and was particularly devastating.
Around the clock, I was with Joe… “And I didn’t encase him in a protective cocoon,” she went on to say. The Oval Office was where you last saw him. He gave speeches, and you witnessed it. He wasn’t evading capture.
The previous president, meanwhile, wasted no time criticizing Trump’s effectiveness on the job.
“Every president has had better 100 days than this one,” Biden remarked.
When asked for response, the White House took some time to answer.