At a press conference Thursday evening, at the end of this year’s NATO summit, President Joe Biden said the summit was “a great success,” even as he faced multiple questions about whether he’ll stay in the 2024 presidential campaign and about his ability to serve.
His remarks at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center near the White House began nearly an hour later than scheduled.
“This (NATO) summit, several head of states made it a point in their statement to thank the United States and to thank me, personally, for all that NATO has achieved,” Biden said. “NATO’s not only stronger than it was, (it’s) bigger because we led the charge to bring in Finland and Sweden in the Alliance, and it makes a gigantic difference.”
Before taking questions, Biden gave an eight-minute scripted speech where the president showed his long history in the foreign policy arena during a challenging time for his reelection campaign.
Biden touched on three key issues during his remarks. He said the Biden administration is focused on economic policy to uplift the average American family. He also addressed the border, saying last month’s executive order restricting the number of migrants receiving asylum in the U.S. addresses concerns about border security. Finally, Biden said he hopes “to create a path for peace and stability in the Middle East” amid the war in Gaza.
President Joe Biden answers tough question
Biden faced tough questions from journalists about his decision to not withdraw from the presidential race despite calls from many Democrats to do so. He also made the case for Vice President Kamala Harris to serve as president if needed, saying she’s championed reproductive rights and has a breadth of experience in public service.
“I wouldn’t have picked her unless I thought she was qualified to be president from the very beginning,” he said. Biden still maintained he is the only person who can beat former President Donald Trump.
Earlier Thursday, Biden switched Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s name with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s when introducing Zelenskyy. He made another gaffe during the evening’s press conference, jumbling Harris’ name and saying “Vice President Trump” instead.
“Crooked Joe has a case of Trump Derangement Syndrome!” Trump responded to Biden’s fumble on Truth Social.
Biden denied reports he needs to go to bed early, saying his “stupid mistake” at the debate has brought scrutiny of his schedule, but he said he is always occupied with official duties unlike his Republican opponent Trump, who, Biden claimed is “riding around on his golf cart.”
“I just got to just pace myself a little more ... in the next debate. I’m not going to be traveling into 15 time zones,” Biden said. “I’m not in this for my legacy. I’m in this to complete the job I started.”
The president also addressed talk of him taking a cognitive test. He said he’s taken three such tests and the doctors don’t have any concerns, and added he is tested on his mental abilities every day through his work as president. Biden admitted he has some problems with his left foot.
He answered several questions for nearly an hour, rambling in many instances, but also showing his knowledge of foreign policy.
What’s at stake for President Joe Biden?
Biden’s campaign positioned the NATO summit as a way for Biden to showcase leadership on the global stage. But the three-day summit was overshadowed by concerns over the president’s ability to finish the 2024 campaign and stay in office for another four years.
From actor George Clooney to a handful of Democratic congressmen, requests for him to step aside have been growing, despite Biden’s disinterest in withdrawing from the race.
This comes after his poor performance at the presidential debate last month when he failed to coherently answer questions and respond to attacks from Trump. The White House has blamed a cold, jet lag and over-preparation for Biden’s failure.
His television interview with ABC anchor George Stephanopoulos to hush calls of replacing him on the Democratic ticket backfired, furthering doubts about his mental and physical abilities.
Biden’s press conference on Thursday evening was an attempt to convince Democratic voters and operatives that he is the right candidate to run in the upcoming election. His last solo press conference was in California in November 2023 during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit.
Martha Joynt Kumar, a political science professor from Towson University, who has studied the press corps’ relationship with U.S. presidents, said such press conferences are the “crown jewel of presidential interchanges,” as NPR reported. But Biden hasn’t participated in many of these pressers since his term began, and this move hasn’t been “beneficial” since these press events showcase a president’s policy acumen.
Earlier Thursday, Biden attended various NATO summit events. This included a meeting with the European Union and Indo-Pacific partners — Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea — as well as a bilateral meeting with Zelenskyy, and the NATO-Ukraine Council.
