Joe Biden Says Only ‘the Lord Almighty’ Could Make Him Drop Out of the 2024 Presidential Race

The politician sat down for an interview with George Stephanopoulos following the June 27 presidential debate against Donald Trump

George Stephanopoulos, Joe Biden
George Stephanopoulos and Joe Biden in 2024. Photo:

 ABC via Getty

Joe Biden says only one thing could persuade him to drop out of the 2024 presidential race.

During a July 5 primetime interview on ABC with George Stephanopoulos, the president spoke about his performance during the June 27 presidential debate against Donald Trump.

Biden, 81, told Stephanopoulos, 63, that he doesn’t intend on exiting the race, and only a higher power intervening would make it happen.

"Look, I mean, if the Lord Almighty came down and said, ‘Joe, get outta the race,’ I’d get outta the race,” he said, adding, “The Lord Almighty’s not comin’ down.”

President of the United States Joe Biden and Former President Donald Trump participate in the first Presidential Debate at CNN Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, United States on June 27, 2024.

Kyle Mazza/Anadolu/Getty

At another point in the interview, Stephanopoulos asked Biden how he would feel if he ultimately lost to Trump, 78.

“I’ll feel as long as I gave it my all and I did the goodest job as I know I can do, that’s what this is about,” he said.

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The Week host asked the president if he was "the same man today that you were when you took office three-and-a-half years ago?" to which Biden responded, "I also was the guy who put together a peace plan for the Middle East that may be comin' to fruition."

"I was also the guy that expanded NATO. I was also the guy that grew the economy. All the individual things that were done were ideas I had or I fulfilled. I moved on," he added.

Biden also addressed his performance at the debate, attributing any shortcomings as being due to exhaustion from his demanding schedule following a trip to Europe.

US President Joe Biden, right, and former US President Donald Trump during the first presidential debate in Atlanta, Georgia, US
Donald Trump and Joe Biden in 2024.

Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg via Getty

“I was sick. I was feeling terrible. Matter of fact, the doc’s with me,” he explained.

“I asked if they did a COVID test because they’re trying to figure out what was wrong. They did a test to see whether or not I had some infection, you know, a virus. I didn’t. I just had a really bad cold," Biden continued.

TOPSHOT - US President Joe Biden and former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump participate in the first presidential debate of the 2024 elections at CNN's studios in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 27, 2024.
Donald Trump and Joe Biden in 2024.

 ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/Getty

Following the June 27 debate, Biden hosted a rally in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he spoke to the crowd about his performance. "I don't walk as easily as I used to,” he said.

“I don't speak as smoothly as I used to. I don't debate as well as I used to. But I know what I do know, I know how to tell the truth!" Biden continued.

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