President Joe Biden has admitted to making a "mistake" in using the phrase "putting Trump in the bullseye" during a call with donors. This statement came just days before an assassination attempt on his Republican rival, Donald Trump. In a recent interview with NBC News, Biden clarified that he meant to focus on Trump's actions and agenda, not incite violence.
Biden acknowledged the poor choice of words and emphasized the need to focus on Trump's measures and the numerous lies he claimed Trump told during their debate on June 27. This debate had already caused significant unrest within the Democratic Party due to Biden's underwhelming performance.
The president faced criticism from both Republicans and Democrats for his rhetoric. Prominent Republicans accused Biden of instigating the attack on Trump, while Biden countered by highlighting Trump's history of incendiary remarks. He cited examples such as Trump's threats of a bloodbath if he loses the election and his provocative statements during the Capitol riot in January 2021.
Biden defended his stance, stating that he is not the one who has refused to accept election results or threatened violence. He reiterated his campaign's focus on defending democracy and criticized Trump's rhetoric as dangerous. Biden argued that it is crucial to address the threat to democracy posed by Trump's statements, even if it risks inciting some individuals.
The president expressed uncertainty about whether the assassination attempt on Trump would impact the election race. He voiced concerns about the safety of all candidates, including independent Robert Kennedy, and criticized the Secret Service for their handling of the attack on Trump.
Despite the controversy, Biden reaffirmed his commitment to his campaign, dismissing calls for him to retire due to his age. He acknowledged the legitimacy of concerns about his age but emphasized his experience and mental acuity. Biden stated that he is willing to be judged on his performance and achievements during his presidency.
Biden also commented on the selection of JD Vance as Trump's running mate, suggesting that Vance's alignment with Trump reflects the values of the Republican leader. He humorously recalled Vance's past criticisms of Trump, highlighting the irony of their current partnership.
The interview with NBC News is part of Biden's efforts to regain momentum after his lackluster debate performance. The attack on Trump has temporarily shifted the focus away from Biden's suitability for office, providing him with a brief reprieve from internal party criticism.
- Biden's phrase "putting Trump in the bullseye" was intended to emphasize the need to scrutinize Trump's agenda and actions rather than incite violence. This clarification came after significant backlash and an assassination attempt on Trump.
- The president faced criticism from both Republicans and Democrats for his rhetoric, with prominent Republicans accusing him of instigating the attack on Trump. Biden countered by highlighting Trump's history of incendiary remarks and threats of violence.
- Despite calls for him to retire due to his age, Biden reaffirmed his commitment to his campaign, emphasizing his experience and mental acuity. He acknowledged the legitimacy of concerns about his age but stated that he is willing to be judged on his performance and achievements during his presidency.
- Biden commented on the selection of JD Vance as Trump's running mate, suggesting that Vance's alignment with Trump reflects the values of the Republican leader. He humorously recalled Vance's past criticisms of Trump, highlighting the irony of their current partnership.
