US President Joe Biden feels “personally hurt” and “betrayed” by an apparent lack of faith in him by many Democrats following his disastrous debate with Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, NBC reported on Friday, citing sources.
According to numerous reports, Biden’s on-stage performance – described as “fumbling” and “incoherent” – as well as several follow-up gaffes, have left many Democratic leaders and donors scrambling to find a replacement for the 81-year-old candidate.
While some Democratic heavyweights – including former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton – have publicly reiterated their support for Biden, they have done little to consolidate the party behind him, NBC reported.
Sources claimed to the outlet that Biden “feels angry” at efforts to force him out of the White House race, with one person suggesting Democratic leaders were essentially helping Trump, who recently survived an assassination attempt, to secure victory.
“Can we all just remember for a minute that these same people who are trying to push Joe Biden out are the same people who literally gave us all Donald Trump? In 2015, Obama, [Nancy] Pelosi, [Chuck] Schumer pushed Biden aside in favor of Hillary [Clinton]; they were wrong then, and they are wrong now,” an NBC source said, referring to Clinton’s loss against Trump in 2016.
The outlet added that as uncertainty grows within the Democratic leadership, some party members now believe it is not a matter of ‘if’ but rather ‘when’ Biden will drop out. One Democratic strategist said he simply “want[ed] a decision” on the matter.
“The sooner we get this behind us, the sooner we can get back to the campaigning and focus on winning,” the strategist noted, claiming that Democrats have “better candidates” and “the fundraising momentum.”
Axios reported on Wednesday that several top Democrats have told Biden that he stands no chance against Trump, with rumors abound that he might withdraw this weekend. While the president and his campaign have publicly said he has no plans to drop out, the Democratic Party has delayed the official nominating process until August.