Stephanopoulos Comments After Interview
Get ready for some major political drama straight from the streets of New York City. ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos recently made headlines when he expressed doubts about President Joe Biden's ability to serve another four years in office. This revelation comes hot on the heels of a high-stakes interview between Stephanopoulos and Biden.
In a candid moment captured by TMZ, Stephanopoulos was asked if he thought Biden should step down. His response was direct: "I don't think he can serve four more years." This comment quickly sparked a whirlwind of reactions, considering its timing right after their interview.
The White House swiftly responded. Spokesperson Andrew Bates directed Fox News Digital to comments made by White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre during a press briefing. Jean-Pierre emphasized that President Biden is committed to serving a full second term if re-elected. Meanwhile, the Biden campaign has yet to comment directly on Stephanopoulos's remark.
ABC News also chimed in, clarifying that Stephanopoulos's comment was his personal opinion and not reflective of the network's stance. Stephanopoulos himself later acknowledged that he probably shouldn't have responded to the passerby's question, though the cat was already out of the bag.
The initial interview with Biden was meant to reassure the public and his party about his mental fitness for re-election, especially after his lackluster debate performance that has fueled unprecedented calls for him to withdraw from the 2024 race. However, the 22-minute sit-down did little to ease concerns.
During the interview, Biden raised eyebrows by expressing uncertainty about whether he had watched the CNN debate and by refusing to commit to a cognitive test, insisting that he is tested daily in his role as commander-in-chief.
Biden also caused a stir within his own party by saying he would be content with a hypothetical defeat to former President Trump as long as he gave it his all. This statement did not sit well with Democrats who are increasingly anxious about his chances against Trump.
ABC News chief Washington correspondent Jonathan Karl shared his reactions with Stephanopoulos, noting that while Biden appeared more coherent than during the debate, the interview failed to calm the nerves of worried Democrats. Karl highlighted the concern that Biden seems either unaware of or unwilling to acknowledge the dire situation of his campaign, especially given current poll standings showing him trailing behind Trump.
The New York Times editorial board and several media members have vocally called for Biden to withdraw from the 2024 race. The Democratic Party is becoming increasingly divided on whether to support the 81-year-old president's re-election bid.