US President Joe Biden held his first press conference in months, asserting that he is the right person for a second term in the White House. He emphasized that his health is good and he is the best choice to “preserve” American democracy.
Biden, in a press conference on Thursday following the conclusion of the NATO summit in Washington, reassured American voters that he has the support of Democratic figures, addressing concerns regarding his potential withdrawal from the presidential race.
Biden’s speech touched upon several key points: American efforts to stop the war in Gaza, the significance of NATO, and the accomplishments of his administration in the American economy.
This press conference held significant importance as it was Biden’s first since his widely discussed debate once morest his Republican rival, Donald Trump, an event potentially affecting the trajectory of his presidential candidacy, according to Agence France-Presse.
The world’s eyes were fixed on the 81-year-old president during the summit in Washington as he sought to appease growing calls from his Democratic Party for him to step down due to concerns regarding his age and health.
Voter reassurance and two mistakes in one day
“I believe I am the most qualified person to run for president. I beat him (Trump) once and I will beat him once more. I am not doing this to preserve my legacy. I am doing this to finish the work I started,” the US president stated.
He spoke regarding his neurological tests, which confirm he is “fine.” The American president said, “I have undergone neurological tests and I undergo neurological tests every day because of the tasks that fall on my shoulders,” noting that “advancing age increases wisdom in a person.”
He clarified that he “underwent three intensive and continuous neurological examinations” conducted by a neurologist, the last of which was “in February” and showed “that he is in good condition.”
“I’m fine,” he added. “My neurological abilities are tested every day” by “the decisions I make every day.”
Regarding the qualifications of his vice president, Kamala Harris, to assume the presidency, a topic frequently discussed as an alternative to Biden, the US president said: “I would not have chosen her to be my vice president if she was not qualified for it,” adding that “Harris is excellent, and she is qualified to be president.”
Biden committed his second gaffe at the press conference on Thursday when he referred to his running mate Kamala Harris as “Trump,” a further setback for the Democratic candidate facing mounting pressure to withdraw from the presidential race due to concerns regarding his mental health.
Asked if Harris might beat Trump if the Democratic president decided not to run once more, Biden told a Reuters reporter: “I wouldn’t have picked Vice President Trump to be my vice president if I didn’t think from the beginning that she was qualified to be president. That’s why I picked her.”
But he reiterated that it was “important to allay concerns” regarding his nomination.
Prior to his “Harris-Trump” gaffe, Biden misspoke during a NATO press conference in Washington by introducing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as “(Russian) President Vladimir” Putin, before returning to the podium and correcting his mistake.
“And now, I turn the floor over to the president of Ukraine, who has great courage and determination,” he told the summit. “Ladies and gentlemen, here is President Putin.” But Biden quickly corrected his blunder, saying, “My focus is firmly on defeating President Putin.”
Biden explained in his press conference following the NATO meetings that he “immediately corrected” when he spoke regarding “Zelensky and Putin” and that he was able to correctly mention five other figures when introducing them to the attendees, emphasizing that the NATO summit in Washington was “incredibly successful.”
He added that many heads of state “thanked him” because “he was the reason for bringing them together.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz defended Biden on Thursday, saying in response to a question from reporters regarding the incident: “Slips of the tongue happen, and if you always monitor everyone, you will find enough of them.”
“But that doesn’t change anything that the US president said very clearly in his speech,” he added.
Biden refocused on his administration’s accomplishments, which have contributed to maintaining “the world’s largest and most important economy,” stressing that “inflation in the United States is falling and will continue to reduce prices.”
He stated he would “continue to move and make great progress for the United States and the working class who need us.”
Biden emphasized that he would remain prepared to engage with Russian President Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, even during a second term.
“I’m prepared to deal with them now and three years from now… There’s no world leader I’m not prepared to deal with,” Biden said.
Gaza ceasefire efforts
Biden announced that his administration is making progress towards reaching a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, nine months following the conflict that erupted following Hamas’ unprecedented attack on Israel.
He told reporters that Israel and Hamas had accepted his framework for a ceasefire in Gaza, but added that there were still gaps to be filled.
“This framework is now acceptable to both Israel and Hamas. That’s why I’ve sent my team to the region to work out the details,” Biden continued at the press conference.
“These are difficult and complex issues. There are still gaps to be filled. We are making progress. The trend is positive. I am determined to achieve this agreement and put an end to this war, which must end now,” he said.
He recalled that since the beginning of the war in Gaza, he “visited Israel and met with President (Egyptian Abdel Fattah) el-Sisi and King of Jordan (Abdullah II) to work on delivering the necessary aid.”
He stressed that his administration “worked with Arab partners on a post-war plan in Gaza, which must be free of any Israeli occupation and allow for the entry of what is necessary there.”
He did not deny that Israel “was less than cooperative at times,” adding, “There are many things I wish I might have persuaded the Israelis to do,” stressing that he supports Israel’s attempts to defeat Hamas militants in Gaza, but “it is time to end this war.”
NATO and Ukraine
The US President stressed the importance of the “NATO alliance, which includes free countries,” noting that “an attack on one party means an attack on all.”
He believes that “a strong NATO” is “a necessity for U.S. security and adherence to Article 5 is a sacred obligation.”
The US President declared that the United States “cannot withdraw” from its leadership role in the world.
“My predecessor made it clear that he is not committed” to NATO, he said, in a direct attack on Trump.
He added that US allies told him at the NATO summit that a new presidential term for Trump would be a “disaster.”
“I haven’t heard any of my European allies come here and say, ‘Joe, don’t run.’ What I hear them saying is, ‘You have to win. You can’t let this guy get ahead. He’s going to be a disaster,’” Biden said.
He stated that Russia intended to invade Ukraine, which he warned regarding “months before the invasion and we warned the world that the invasion was imminent.”
“The Ukrainian people resisted the Russian invasion and Kiev is still free,” he added, reiterating his warning that “Putin will not stop at Ukraine if he wins the war.”
In response to a question regarding Ukraine’s request to allow it to strike targets inside Russia, Biden said: “We have allowed Kiev to use American weapons” and direct them at “near-term targets”, in a way that achieves “the best use of the weapons it has” and improves “Ukraine’s defensive capabilities.”
Zelensky appealed to NATO countries to lift “all restrictions” imposed on his country to target Russian territory with Western weapons, saying, “If we want to win, if we want to prevail, if we want to save and defend our country, we must lift all restrictions.”
Several NATO countries are imposing restrictions on the use of weapons they send to Ukraine.
Some of these countries, such as Italy, prohibit any use of these weapons on Russian territory. Others, such as the United States, limit the use of their weapons to strikes on legitimate military targets, within a limited depth of Russian territory.
Kiev continues to demand that it be allowed to use long-range Western missiles to strike targets deep inside Russia.
The alliance countries acknowledged in a joint statement on Wednesday that Ukraine is on an “irreversible path” toward joining NATO.
NATO leaders pledged on Wednesday to give Ukraine at least €40 billion in military aid “over the next year” to help it fight Russia.
Biden Reassures Voters of Fitness for Second Term Amidst Health Concerns
US President Joe Biden appeared at his first press conference in months, confirming his bid for a second term in the White House while addressing health concerns. He stressed his good health, declaring himself the best choice to “preserve” American democracy.
Biden’s Press Conference: A Reassurance for Voters
Biden’s press conference, held following the conclusion of the NATO summit in Washington, focused on a multitude of topics: American efforts to stop the war in Gaza, the importance of NATO, and his administration’s achievements in the American economy. However, the primary emphasis was on alleviating concerns regarding his age and health, which have been increasingly voiced by members of his own Democratic Party.
The conference was particularly noteworthy given its timing. It was Biden’s first since his controversial debate with Republican challenger Donald Trump, which analysts believe might significantly impact his re-election bid, as reported by Agence France-Presse.
Addressing Health Concerns: Neurological Tests and Confidence
Biden openly discussed his neurological tests, highlighting that they demonstrate he is “fine.” He stated, “I have undergone neurological tests and I undergo neurological tests every day because of the tasks that fall on my shoulders,” emphasizing that “advancing age increases wisdom in a person.” He further revealed that he underwent “three intensive and continuous neurological examinations” conducted by a neurologist, the last of which was “in February” and showed “that he is in good condition.”
“I’m fine,” he added. “My neurological abilities are tested every day” by “the decisions I make every day.”
Confidence in Vice President Kamala Harris
Addressing speculation regarding the qualification of his vice president, Kamala Harris, to assume the presidency, Biden firmly stated: “I would not have chosen her to be my vice president if she was not qualified for it.” He lauded Harris, saying, “She is excellent, and she is qualified to be president.”
Biden’s Gaffes During the Press Conference
Despite his attempts to reassure, Biden made two significant gaffes during the press conference, further fueling concerns regarding his mental acuity. During a conversation with a Reuters reporter, he mistakenly referred to his running mate as “Trump,” saying, “I wouldn’t have picked Vice President Trump to be my vice president if I didn’t think from the beginning that she was qualified to be president.”
Earlier, during a NATO press conference in Washington, he introduced Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as “(Russian) President Vladimir” Putin before correcting himself. He explained that he “immediately corrected” when he spoke regarding “Zelensky and Putin” and that he was able to correctly mention five other figures when introducing them to the attendees, stressing that the NATO summit in Washington was “incredibly successful.”
International Reactions: Scholz Defends Biden, Allies Express Concerns
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz defended Biden in response to reporter inquiries regarding the incident. He said, “Slips of the tongue happen, and if you always monitor everyone, you will find enough of them.” “But that doesn’t change anything that the US president said very clearly in his speech,” he added.
However, Biden’s allies expressed concerns regarding his ability to handle the demands of the presidency. They reportedly voiced their worries regarding his fitness for office during the NATO summit, fearing that a second Trump presidency would be catastrophic.
Biden’s Economic Focus: Inflation Reduction and Continued Progress
Biden refocused on his administration’s accomplishments, emphasizing the role played in maintaining “the world’s largest and most important economy.” He highlighted that “inflation in the United States is falling and will continue to reduce prices.” He expressed his commitment to “continue to move and make great progress for the United States and the working class who need us.”
Biden’s Stance on Foreign Affairs: Confronting Putin and Xi Jinping
Biden asserted his preparedness to handle both Russian President Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping during a potential second term. “I’m prepared to deal with them now and three years from now… There’s no world leader I’m not prepared to deal with,” Biden stated.
Gaza Ceasefire: Biden’s Framework and Progress
Biden announced that his administration was making progress towards a ceasefire agreement in Gaza. He explained that Israel and Hamas had accepted his framework but acknowledged that there were still gaps to be filled. “This framework is now acceptable to both Israel and Hamas. That’s why I’ve sent my team to the region to work out the details,” Biden continued at the press conference.
“These are difficult and complex issues. There are still gaps to be filled. We are making progress. The trend is positive. I am determined to achieve this agreement and put an end to this war, which must end now,” he said.
NATO and Ukraine: Biden Asserts US Commitment and Leadership
The US president emphasized the significance of the “NATO alliance, which includes free countries,” noting that “an attack on one party means an attack on all.” He declared that “a strong NATO” is “a necessity for U.S. security and adherence to Article 5 is a sacred obligation.”
Biden asserted that the United States “cannot withdraw” from its leadership role in the world. He criticized his predecessor, saying, “My predecessor made it clear that he is not committed” to NATO, a direct attack on Trump.
He added that US allies voiced concerns during the NATO summit regarding the implications of a second Trump presidency, stating that “a new presidential term for Trump would be a ‘disaster.'”
“I haven’t heard any of my European allies come here and say, ‘Joe, don’t run.’ What I hear them saying is, ‘You have to win. You can’t let this guy get ahead. He’s going to be a disaster,’” Biden said.
Regarding the Russo-Ukrainian war, Biden affirmed that Russia intended to invade Ukraine. “We warned the world that the invasion was imminent,” he said, pointing to his administration’s preemptive warning months before the conflict began.
“The Ukrainian people resisted the Russian invasion and Kiev is still free,” he added, reiterating his warning that “Putin will not stop at Ukraine if he wins the war.”
Ukraine’s Request to Strike Russian Targets: Biden’s Response
In response to Ukraine’s request for permission to strike targets inside Russia, Biden said: “We have allowed Kiev to use American weapons” and direct them at “near-term targets”, in a way that achieves “the best use of the weapons it has” and improves “Ukraine’s defensive capabilities.”
Zelensky urged NATO countries to lift “all restrictions” imposed on his country to target Russian territory with Western weapons. He argued, “If we want to win, if we want to prevail, if we want to save and defend our country, we must lift all restrictions.”
Several NATO countries have imposed restrictions on the use of weapons they provide to Ukraine. Some countries, such as Italy, prohibit any use of these weapons on Russian territory. Others, such as the United States, limit their use to strikes on legitimate military targets, within a limited depth of Russian territory.
Kiev continues to press for permission to use long-range Western missiles to strike targets deep inside Russia.
NATO Leaders Pledge Support for Ukraine
In a joint statement on Wednesday, NATO leaders acknowledged that Ukraine is on an “irreversible path” toward joining the alliance. They also pledged to provide Ukraine with at least €40 billion in military aid “over the next year” to support its fight once morest Russia.
As Biden seeks a second term, his press conference has sparked debate regarding his health and fitness for office. It remains to be seen how these concerns will affect his re-election bid as the US approaches the 2024 presidential election.