Reid Hoffman, a prominent Democratic donor, has expressed support for President Joe Biden despite his performance at the presidential debate against former President Donald Trump. Hoffman acknowledged that Biden’s debate performance was “bad,” but argued that it was a “bad idea” to suggest that Biden step down.
In a statement, Hoffman noted that he had received numerous emails asking if there should be a public campaign to pressure Biden to step aside after the debate. He rejected this idea, stating that Biden is the nominee and any decision to step down is up to him and his family.
Hoffman also defended Biden’s age, saying that it is unfair to focus on his age and not Trump’s age, which he described as being expressed through dementia. He added that the debate had “exacerbated concerns about Joe” rather than highlighting Trump’s issues.
Biden’s campaign co-chair, Mitch Landrieu, attributed Biden’s performance to a cold and looking “a little sluggish.” Hoffman, however, noted that Biden’s debate performance was not new information and that he is a “resolute fighter” who can bounce back from poor performances.
Hoffman also pointed out that Trump’s supporters, known as MAGA, immediately closed ranks after a Manhattan jury found Trump guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records. He argued that being a good president has little to do with being a good debater and that Biden meets the conditions of having the right values, instincts, and patriotism.
Hoffman concluded that Biden “can very much still win this election” and that his campaign is on track to succeed. Prior to former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley suspending her presidential campaign, Hoffman had been assisting in funding her campaign to prevent Trump from getting the Republican presidential nomination.
