At a campaign fundraiser in McLean, Virginia, on Tuesday evening, President Joe Biden — for the first time — attributed his poor debate performance last week to the amount of foreign travel he did in June, according to notes from a small group of reporters permitted in the event.
“I decided to travel around the world a couple of times,” Biden said, referring to recent trips abroad, including his visit to France for the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
“I didn’t listen to my staff,” he continued, adding he “came back and nearly fell asleep on stage.”
Biden said Tuesday he was sorry for his debate performance but stressed that winning the election was “critical.”
“It’s not an excuse but an explanation,” he continued, adding that the DNC and Biden campaign have raised millions of dollars since debate night.
“I feel good about it,” he said.
Biden’s debate performance last Thursday triggered renewed concern over his age and mental acuity among political observers, including some Democrats who have begun to have discussions about his ability to carry on as their party’s nominee.
The president first addressed his poor debate performance at a North Carolina rally the day after the debate.
“Folks, I know I’m not a young man, to state the obvious,” he told the crowd.
“I don’t debate as well as I used to, but I know what I do know. I know how to tell the truth,” he said to loud cheers from an enthusiastic campaign crowd.
Last Saturday, he also touched on it at a fundraiser at the home of New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy.
“I didn’t have a great night, but I’m going to be fighting harder,” Biden told attendees of the event.
Earlier on Monday evening, the Biden campaign held a call with more than 500 regional and national finance chairs – who raise money for the campaign and the Democratic Party – during which senior campaign advisers defended Biden’s health and gave assurances he could carry on with his 2024 campaign.
The campaign advisers also noted that a few hundred campaign events in support of Biden took place around the country this past weekend. They also touted the fundraising haul since the debate, people who were on the call told ABC News, with the campaign and the Democratic Party raking in $33 million.
ABC News’ Zohreen Shah, MaryAlice Parks, SooRin Kim, Will McDuffie and Selina Wang contributed to this report.
During a recent Democratic presidential debate, former Vice President Joe Biden struggled to deliver his usual polished performance, leading many to question his ability to go head-to-head with President Donald Trump in the upcoming election. In a surprising turn of events, Biden attributed his poor showing to his extensive international travel schedule and admitted to feeling fatigued on stage.
Biden, who has been crisscrossing the globe in recent weeks to meet with world leaders and attend international summits, acknowledged that the grueling travel schedule had taken a toll on his energy levels. “I’ve been on the road non-stop for weeks, meeting with leaders from around the world and trying to address some of the most pressing issues facing our country,” Biden said in a post-debate interview. “I think the jet lag and lack of sleep caught up with me on stage tonight.”
The former Vice President’s admission of fatigue comes at a critical time in the presidential race, as he continues to face scrutiny over his age and stamina. Critics have raised concerns about Biden’s ability to keep up with the demands of the presidency, particularly in light of his recent debate performance. However, Biden remains confident that he is up to the task and has vowed to redouble his efforts in the coming weeks.
“I may have stumbled tonight, but I’m not going to let that deter me from my ultimate goal of defeating Donald Trump and restoring integrity to the White House,” Biden said. “I know that I have what it takes to lead this country, and I’m going to prove it to the American people in the days and weeks ahead.”
Despite his lackluster debate performance, Biden’s campaign remains optimistic about his chances in the upcoming election. The former Vice President continues to lead in national polls and has garnered strong support from key demographics, including African American voters and older Americans. With the race heating up and the stakes higher than ever, Biden is determined to bounce back from his recent setback and show voters that he is ready to take on the challenges of the presidency.
In conclusion, Joe Biden’s admission of feeling fatigued on stage during a recent debate highlights the toll that international travel can take on a presidential candidate. While critics may question his stamina and ability to lead, Biden remains confident in his abilities and is determined to prove himself to the American people. As the race for the White House heats up, all eyes will be on Biden as he seeks to secure the Democratic nomination and ultimately defeat President Trump in November.
