On Thursday, former President Joe Biden appeared on ABC's The View, where he addressed his predecessor, President Donald Trump, and the implications of Trump's historic return to the White House. Biden expressed clear frustration regarding Trump's performance, stating, "He's had the worst 100 days any president's ever had." While he defended his track record, he acknowledged some responsibility for the election results, particularly as concerns over border security and the cost of living emerged during his administration.
Biden maintained that he could have defeated Trump had he remained in the race. However, he did not shy away from accepting that he holds some blame for the election outcome. "I do, because, look, I was in charge and he won. So, you know, I take responsibility," Biden remarked. He went on to criticize Trump's role in undermining bipartisan efforts related to border legislation and highlighted the positive aspects of the economy he left behind, including significant investments in infrastructure and health care.
During their first joint interview since leaving the White House, Biden and former First Lady Jill Biden addressed recent rumors surrounding Biden's cognitive abilities. The former president faced allegations of cognitive decline, particularly in his final year in office. He robustly defended his mental acuity, stating, "They are wrong. There's nothing to sustain that." He emphasized the challenges his administration faced, including the aftermath of the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
When asked about Vice President Kamala Harris' loss in the 2024 election, Biden expressed disappointment but noted he was "not surprised." He suggested that factors like sexism and racism played critical roles in her defeat, stating, "They went the sexist route." The former president reflected on the broader implications of the Democratic Party's setbacks, suggesting that they fit into a global trend where liberal democracies faced challenges.
Co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin questioned Biden about whether he still believed he could have beaten Trump. Biden confidently asserted that he would have prevailed, although he acknowledged the close margins in battleground states during the election cycle. "It wasn't a slam dunk," he said, referencing the lower voter turnout compared to the previous election in 2020.
As the conversation continued, Jill Biden defended her husband against accusations that she was shielding him from public scrutiny. "I did not create a cocoon around him," she stated emphatically. Both Bidens rejected the narrative of cognitive decline, asserting that their administration was focused on tackling pressing challenges rather than engaging in personal distractions.
As the Democratic Party grapples with its future direction, Biden expressed a desire to identify a meaningful role consistent with his past contributions. Regarding Harris, he acknowledged that she faces crucial decisions about her political future. "I think she's first-rate," he said, expressing optimism about the potential for new candidates emerging within the party.
In her new role as chair of the Milken Institute's Women's Health Network, Jill Biden emphasized her commitment to advancing research in women's health issues. She highlighted the necessity for continued investigations into various health concerns, including osteoporosis and menopause. "We need answers about osteoporosis, menopause, heart attacks... We need to continue the research, and that is what Milken is going to do," she stated, underlining the importance of funding and research cuts that have occurred under the current administration.
