2024 US election: I would’ve defeated Trump if I hadn’t withdrawn from race — Biden

United States President, Joe Biden, has expressed confidence that he would have defeated Donald Trump and secured re-election in November had he remained in the presidential race.

In an exclusive interview with USA Today, Biden admitted to doubts about his stamina for another four years in office.

“So far, so good,” Biden, 82, said. “But who knows what I’m going to be when I’m 86 years old?”

During the wide-ranging interview with Susan Page, Biden revealed he was still contemplating pre-emptive pardons for figures aligned against Trump, including former Republican congresswoman Liz Cheney and ex-health official Dr Anthony Fauci. 

He recounted a meeting with Trump in the Oval Office shortly after the election, where he conveyed his perspective on pardons.

“I tried to make it clear that there was no need, and it was counterintuitive for his interest to go back and try to settle scores,” Biden stated. 

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According to him, Trump “just basically listened” and refrained from pushing back. Biden added that his final decision would depend on Trump’s cabinet picks.

Biden also noted that Trump had been “complimentary” about his economic performance during the same meeting. “He [Trump] thought I was leaving with a good record,” Biden remarked.

The USA Today interview, published on Wednesday, marks Biden’s sole exit interview with a print publication since announcing his withdrawal from the race on 21 July. Media access to Biden has been heavily restricted, and he has not held a press conference since stepping aside.

In the interview, Biden defended his controversial full and unconditional pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, who was facing criminal charges for tax evasion and unlawfully purchasing a firearm. Despite previously pledging not to intervene, Biden insisted the pardon was warranted.

Biden, who began his political career in 1972 as a US senator, has faced mounting criticism, including from within his party, over his delayed decision to exit the presidential race amidst concerns about his age and mental fitness. 

Addressing this, Biden said he believed “based on polling” that he would have won, though he acknowledged his age could have influenced his performance in office.

“When Trump was running again for re-election, I really thought I had the best chance of beating him. Bumot I also wasn’t looking to be president when I was 85 years old, 86 years old,” he said. “But I don’t know. Who the hell knows?”

Biden’s decision to step aside paved the way for Vice President Kamala Harris to lead the Democratic ticket. Following her loss to Trump, prominent Democrats, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, suggested the party might have stood a better chance had Biden exited the race earlier.

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