Former First Lady Jill Biden said she was frightened by President Joe Biden’s performance in the June 2024 presidential debate, fearing he might be having a stroke. Her comments come amid reflections on the events leading to the president’s decision to end his re-election campaign.
What happened
Jill Biden told CBS News’s “Sunday Morning” program that she had never seen her husband in such a state during the 2024 Democratic primary debate against former President Donald Trump. As she watched the debate, she feared he was suffering a serious medical emergency, specifically a stroke. “I don’t know what happened,” she said. “As I watched it, I thought, ‘Oh, my God, he’s having a stroke.’ And it scared me to death.”
Following the widely criticized debate performance, Joe Biden dropped out of the race a month later, with 107 days remaining until the general election. He endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee, becoming the first sitting president since Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968 to withdraw from a presidential contest.
In a broader interview, Jill Biden discussed the election, her husband’s health, and her new memoir, View from the East Wing. The full interview is scheduled to air on CBS and Paramount+ on May 31.
Why it matters
Jill Biden’s revelation adds a personal and health-related dimension to the challenges faced by Joe Biden’s 2024 campaign. Concerns about presidential fitness and public performance are pivotal in political discourse, especially amid an ongoing debate about age and health of elected leaders. The withdrawal of an incumbent president from the presidential race is historically significant, underscoring the intense scrutiny and pressure in contemporary American politics.
Background
Joe Biden sought a second term in the 2024 presidential election but faced criticism following his debate performance against Donald Trump. The debate raised questions about his cognitive stamina and physical health. His decision to end the campaign was unprecedented for a sitting president, recalling Lyndon B. Johnson’s 1968 withdrawal amid political and health concerns. Jill Biden’s memoir offers further insight into the personal and political challenges experienced during this tumultuous period.
Sources
This article is based on reporting and publicly available information from the following source:
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