July 4th 2024.
During a meeting at the White House on Wednesday, US President Joe Biden shared with Democratic governors that he plans to stop scheduling events after 8pm in order to prioritize getting more rest. According to three sources who were briefed on his comments, Biden wants to make sure he is well-rested and able to effectively lead the country for another four years.
The conversation, which was first reported by The New York Times, took place as Biden, who is 81 years old, aimed to reassure a group of over 20 state leaders about his ability to defeat former President Donald Trump in November. However, his comment about prioritizing sleep left some governors feeling frustrated, according to sources who spoke to CNN. This, along with other factors, has caused some participants to feel uneasy about the statement of loyalty and enthusiasm distributed by the Biden campaign.
At the moment, the White House has not commented on what exactly the president said during the meeting. However, a campaign aide for Biden pointed out that in addition to preparing for debates and campaigning, the president also spends hours each week on official work.
During the meeting, Biden also made a joke that didn't go over well with the governors. He said, "I'm fine — I don't know about my brain, though." According to Jen O'Malley Dillon, Biden's campaign chairwoman, the president was clearly making a joke and then followed up by saying, "All kidding aside."
After Biden's lackluster performance in the presidential debate on CNN last week, some Democrats have begun calling for him to drop out of the race. This has caused the White House to scramble to convince skeptical party members and voters. In the days following the debate, administration officials have given conflicting explanations and tried to spin the president's performance, which only added to voters' concerns about his age.
Governors Wes Moore of Maryland, Kathy Hochul of New York, and Tim Walz of Minnesota, however, had positive things to say about the meeting during a news conference. They emphasized that Biden is fully committed and determined to win the election. When asked about the president's age and health, Walz dismissed any concerns and stated that Biden is fit for office.
Biden, who is the oldest president in US history, has faced questions about his age and health for years. These concerns reached a peak during the debate, when he appeared hoarse and at times incoherent, making Trump, who is only three years younger, seem more fit. According to a CNN poll, the majority of viewers deemed Trump as the winner of the debate.
Following the debate, there has been even more scrutiny and reporting on Biden's health, with sources describing a decline in his mental sharpness. The New York Times reported earlier this week that the president's "lapses" have become more frequent and concerning. A source told the Times that during Biden's six-day debate preparations at Camp David, he didn't start until 11am and was given time to nap each day.
When asked about the Times' reporting, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre avoided directly answering if the president takes daily afternoon naps. She did, however, offer jet lag and fatigue from traveling as a potential explanation for Biden's poor performance in the debate, after previously attributing it to a cold.
With pressure mounting for Biden to consider dropping out of the race and growing concerns about his ability to serve another term, CNN has previously reported that the president has privately expressed that the next few days will be critical in determining the fate of his re-election bid. Stay updated on all breaking news, celebrity gossip, and sports updates by following our WhatsApp channel — no comments, no algorithm, and your private details stay safe.
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