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Will Biden hold the anchor or fold to pressure to step aside?
Former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden debate at CNN's Atlanta studios on June 27, 2024. Will Lanzoni/CNN
US President Joe Biden is facing intense pressure and calls for him to step aside following what many within the Democratic party deem as a disastrous performance against Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.
Biden, who is 81 years old, squared off with Trump last week in a debate hosted by CNN. Minutes after the show, anxiety seemed to have gripped a section of the Democratic party over his performance in Atlanta.
The arguments
Top aides within the Biden campaign are said to be shielding the US president from staff within the White House, barring any further developments, according to CNN.
But the message from his family and campaign team suggests that Joe Biden remains the party’s best chance to defeat Donald Trump in what many have deemed to be ‘the rematch no one wants’.
The New York Times reported that Biden’s family have encouraged him to stay in the race ahead of the polls despite widespread anxiety and concern over his mental and cognitive health as president.
While some allies and relations within the Biden family have attributed his poor performance to over-preparation by his top aides, Donald Trump continues to firm his grip within the Republican party, whose polls numbers have slightly outperformed Biden’s ahead of the November elections.
The facts
Biden’s team was the first to call for the debate, which saw him take a week off in Camp David to prepare against the unfiltered Donald Trump.
While some analysts say Biden was rambling in the debate against Trump, various polls suggest concerns about the US president’s age.
He is seeking to contest in the upcoming November elections against 78-year-old Trump, who is seeking to return to power despite a raft of legal woes and charges against him.
A new poll conducted by CBS News/YouGov showed on Sunday that 72 percent of Democratic voters believe the president does not have the mental and cognitive health to serve as president.
However, nearly half of the figure suggested that Biden step aside for another candidate to lead the party just about five months before the November polls.
While some key personalities within the Democratic party have not publicly come out to declare their stance, it has been suggested that these top Democrats are urging the US president to step aside.
