President Joe Biden sat down with NBC News’ Lester Holt for an interview that raised concerns about his mental fitness for the job. During the conversation, Biden seemed tired and struggled to deliver lines about his mental health and the failed assassination attempt on former President Trump with the confidence and stability needed to quell concerns.
Three notable aspects of the interview stood out. Biden was unwilling or unable to take responsibility for the increasing political rhetoric from liberals, which has contributed to the heated political climate. He also made a mistake by referring to his Secret Service director, Kimberley Cheatle, as a man, calling into question his mental sharpness. Furthermore, Biden engaged in poll denialism, downplaying the significance of recent national polls.
Biden’s age is a significant issue for Democrats, with three-fourths of the nation believing he is too old for the job. Despite his efforts to address these concerns through public appearances, Biden’s recent trip to Michigan left him visibly exhausted. To turn the tide of public opinion, Biden needs to make more public appearances in crucial battleground states, but this may be a challenge given his physical limitations.
Recent polls show Trump leading Biden in key states such as Virginia, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan. While national polls may not be indicative of the election’s outcome, a close race is often a Trump advantage. Biden must do better in these states to have a chance at winning.
During the interview, Biden made some notable statements, including claiming that his mental acuity has been “pretty damn good” despite his mistake about the Secret Service director’s gender.
He also repeated the debunked claim that there were “very fine people on both sides” in the aftermath of the Charlottesville white supremacist rally. When asked about the classified document issues surrounding both himself and Trump, Biden lost his train of thought.
The interview was marked by sloppiness and a lack of confidence, leading many to question Biden’s mental fitness for the job. Despite his claims to debate Trump in September, Biden became angry when pressed about the possibility of debating sooner, suggesting that he may not be prepared to engage in a debate. The image of Trump surviving an assassination attempt may have already sealed the election for him. Additionally, Biden’s claims about not needing notes or teleprompters during speeches have been disputed, with many suggesting that he relies on these tools to get through his speeches.
