US President Joe Biden on Thursday held a solo press conference at the Nato summit, marking his first solo press appearance since November. His remarks coincided with Nato members extending support to Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invasion that began in February 2022. The United States has been Ukraine’s most crucial partner in providing military assistance during the conflict.
Although the primary subject matter of the engagement was just-concluded Nato summit, Americans of all hues and interested parties across the world watched every word and gesture to determine if the 81-year President retains the cognitive ability to run for a second term in the White House.
Here is what Biden said in the press briefing
Although the primary subject matter of the engagement was just-concluded Nato summit, Americans of all hues and interested parties across the world watched every word and gesture to determine if the 81-year President retains the cognitive ability to run for a second term in the White House.
Here is what Biden said in the press briefing
- After opening the news conference by talking about Nato and security for Ukraine, Biden shifted to discussing inflation and
border security in the US, and negotiations for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. - The first question of Biden’s press conference was about him losing support among many of his fellow Democrats and key unions, and about Vice President Kamala Harris possibly replacing him on the ticket. Biden was at first defiant, saying the “UAW endorsed me, but go ahead,” meaning the United Autoworkers. But then he flubbed the answer, mixing up Harris and Trump: “I wouldn’t have picked Vice President Trump to be vice president if she wasn’t qualified.”
- Biden was asked how it might hurt his place in the history books if he were to keep running and lose to Trump in November — but insisted he’s not concerned. Instead, his focus, he said, is continuing four more years of policies to grow the economy and help the middle class. “I’m not in this for my legacy,” Biden said. “I’m in this to complete the job I started.”
- Biden says he never suggested he needs an earlier bedtime. The president told reporters that, in previous conversations, what he meant was “it’d be smarter to pace myself a little bit.” Biden also vowed that, ahead of his second debate with Trump in September, “I’m not going to be traveling 15 time zones. Pace myself. Pace myself,” he added.
- Biden said the best way to reassure anyone who is concerned about him having another “bad night” is “the way I assure myself and that is: ‘Am I getting the job done?’” The president said “there’s no indication yet” that he’s slowing down on that front.
- Biden’s press conference shifted largely from questions about if he’s up to continuing his reelection campaign to foreign policy. “There isn’t any world leader I’m not prepared to deal with,” the president said. He also vowed to maintain a hardline against Russian President Vladimir Putin: “If we allow Russia to succeed in Ukraine, they’re not stopping in Ukraine.