It might sound obvious to anyone who has witnessed Joe Biden struggle to put a sentence together for the past four years, but one former Democratic Party operative (and current ABC News personality) just made a pretty stunning admission.
Just days after sitting down with Biden for a high-stakes interview in the wake of the president’s disastrous debate performance, George Stephanopoulos offered a candid statement to a pedestrian, seemingly unaware that the exchange was being recorded.
As TMZ reported:
The ‘GMA’ anchor was out and about Tuesday afternoon on 5th Avenue, wearing workout clothes, when the pedestrian approached him and asked, “Do you think Biden should step down? You’ve talked to him more than anybody else has lately.” George’s response — “I DON’T THINK HE CAN SERVE 4 MORE YEARS.”
The pedestrian didn’t have his phone pointed at George when the ABC News journalist gave his answer — the phone was pointed at the sidewalk, but it’s clearly George’s distinctive voice you’re hearing.
The statement attracted significant attention on social media:
BREAKING: ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos caught on video saying he doesn't think Biden can serve another 4 years after his interview.
Stephanopoulos was intercepted in midtown Manhattan in footage released by TMZ.
Reporter: "Do you think Biden should step down? You’ve… pic.twitter.com/58FYwrWvqg
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) July 10, 2024
.@brianstelter reacts to GMA anchor George Stephanopoulos' remarks that he doesn't think Biden can serve four more years. pic.twitter.com/c27j2TBW5s
— Abby D. Phillip (@abbydphillip) July 10, 2024
It apparently resulted in some backlash from his employer:
george stephanopoulos apologizing for saying…exactly what everyone else is saying pic.twitter.com/0pcQs9sbAf
— ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) July 10, 2024
According to Axios:
What they’re saying: “Earlier today I responded to a passerby. I shouldn’t have,” Stephanopoulos said in a statement Tuesday night response to the video’s release, ABC News reported.
In its own statement, ABC News said that Stephanopoulos had “expressed his own point of view and not the position of ABC News.”
It’s worth noting that, despite Stephanopoulos’ long ties to the Democratic Party, he peppered Biden with some pretty tough questions and comebacks during last week’s interview, even attracting some praise from the right.
BIDEN ON CROWD SIZE: "How many people can draw crowds like I drew today?"
STEPHANOPOULOS: "I mean, I don't think you want to play the crowd game. Donald Trump can draw big crowds. There's no question about that." https://t.co/uZPFekD4O8 pic.twitter.com/XoxRISsBKV
— Byron Donalds (@ByronDonalds) July 10, 2024
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