Dems Privately Discussed Biden Being Unfit to Run, Paving Way for Trump: Report

As President Joe Biden steps down and Donald Trump prepares to be sworn in, Democrats are reflecting on Biden’s legacy and the missed opportunities that led to Trump’s return to the White House. While Biden’s presidency included significant achievements such as pandemic leadership, infrastructure legislation, and clean energy initiatives, concerns about his age and ability to campaign effectively were raised as early as January 2024, per RollingStone.com.

Despite his decision to run for reelection, bolstered by the positive 2022 midterms, private doubts emerged within the Democratic Party. Rep. Dean Phillips publicly challenged Biden, warning of the risk of another Trump presidency. Meanwhile, unnamed Democratic senators privately expressed serious concerns about Biden’s capacity to serve, with one revealing that he “couldn’t even function” in key meetings. However, efforts to address these concerns were met with resistance from the White House.

Public fears about Biden’s age became evident during a disastrous presidential debate in June 2024. By July, Biden announced he would not seek reelection and endorsed Kamala Harris, but it was too late for Democrats to mount an effective campaign against Trump. Political analyst Larry Sabato criticized Biden’s decision to run, arguing it undermined his earlier success in defeating Trump and left Democrats unprepared to counter Trump’s return.4o