In a heated response to claims that President Joe Biden would have defeated him in the 2024 election had he not dropped out after a disastrous debate, President-elect Donald Trump fired back with his own version of events. Speaking to reporters at his Mar-a-Lago New Year’s Eve party, Trump dismissed Biden’s regretful remarks, stating that the incumbent was already “way behind” in the polls and “really didn’t have a chance.”
The debate in June had been a turning point for Biden, whose approval ratings were already sagging due to challenges faced throughout his presidency. His performance was so poor that it spurred public calls for him to abandon his reelection bid. Weeks later, Biden made the decision to pull out, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris to take his place.
While Biden’s team reportedly believes that he could have mounted a comeback if he stayed in the race, with Biden acknowledging his debate failure as the cause of his downfall, Trump was quick to remind everyone of his standing in the polls before the event. “That was, I guess, the reason that really led to his downfall,” Trump said.
For Trump, the issue remains clear: Biden’s performance at the debate sealed his fate, and Trump believes that no matter what happened afterward, Biden’s chances were already dwindling.
Biden’s withdrawal from the race left the political landscape open for Trump, who has continued to assert that his position in the polls was strong and that Biden’s exit played directly into his hands. In the aftermath of the debate debacle, it seems both men are grappling with the idea of what might have been, but Trump’s stance is unequivocal: Biden never stood a chance.
