When Joe Biden decided to run against President Trump in 2020, he claimed he was the only person who was capable of beating Trump due to his experience as a politician and as a former Vice President.
Even though he trails the 45th President in the polls, Biden not only believes he can still win against Trump, he thinks there are others in the Democratic Party that can defeat Trump in 2024.
On Wednesday, Biden said he believes there are “probably 50” Democrats who could defeat former President Trump in a general election.
Biden’s comments come as he faces growing pressure from within his own party to step aside and allow a younger generation of leaders to take over.
Some Democrats have argued that Biden, who is 82, is too old to run for a second term.
Others have expressed concerns about his health, noting that he has been plagued by a series of minor medical issues in recent years.
From The Hill:
“Do you think there are any Democrats who could beat Donald Trump other than you?” Biden was asked after remarks from the White House on the need to pass Ukraine funding.
“Probably 50 of them,” Biden responded. “I’m not the only one who can defeat him, but I will defeat him.”
“Mr. President, do you think there is any Democrat who could defeat Donald Trump other than you?”
Biden: “Probably 50 of them. I'm not the only one to beat him, but I will defeat him.” pic.twitter.com/uGnIAiUAy2
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) December 6, 2023
Biden’s comments come one day after he told donors at a fundraiser he may not have run for reelection if Trump weren’t running for the White House in 2024. Biden has repeatedly described Trump as a singular threat to democracy who has vowed to take away rights and target his opponents, and he has pointed to the results of the 2020 election as proof he is able to beat Trump at the ballot box.
President Joe Biden said he may have skipped mounting a 2024 re-election bid if he were not facing Donald Trump because the Republican poses a unique threat to the United States https://t.co/W1pbRZ1Mmx pic.twitter.com/KyHexfJ3sL
— Reuters (@Reuters) December 6, 2023
Asked later if he would still be running if Trump were not, Biden told reporters, “I expect so but look, he is running and I have to run.”
When asked if he would drop out if Trump dropped out, Biden responded: “No, not now.”
An NBC News poll released last month showed Trump trailing against a generic Democrat in a hypothetical matchup, 46-40. Biden similarly trailed against a generic Republican, 48-37.
Polls have for months shown Biden with approval ratings mired around 40 percent and that many Democrats would prefer an alternative candidate on the ballot in 2024. But Biden and his team have frequently cited his 2020 victory to argue the president is uniquely equipped to defeat Trump in a rematch.
Democrats have largely rallied behind Biden as the incumbent, with only Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) mounting a primary challenge.
Even though Biden and most of the Democrats continue to say he is in good physical and mental condition, the fact that he believes he can win in 2024 when he also trails Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley, who are far behind Trump in the polls, his comments on Wednesday prove that he is not.
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