President Joe Biden spoke on Friday about his decision to step aside from running for reelection, saying he believed he could have defeated President-elect Donald Trump if he had stayed in the race. He also expressed confidence that Vice President Kamala Harris could have won against Trump as well, though she ultimately lost in the November election.
During a press briefing at the White House, a reporter asked Biden if he regretted his decision to step down and whether it made it easier for Trump to win. Biden took a moment to reflect before responding.
“No, I don’t regret it,” Biden said. “I truly believe I could have beaten Trump again, just like I did before. And I know Kamala had what it takes to win as well. But this decision wasn’t just about me or about her—it was about the bigger picture. The party was going through a tough time, and I felt it was more important to bring people together rather than push forward and risk further division.”
Biden explained that leading the country as president was the greatest privilege of his life, but he didn’t want to be the reason the Democratic Party remained fractured. “Even though I was confident I could win again, I made the choice to step aside because I thought it was best for the country and the party,” he added.
He expressed his belief in Kamala Harris’s leadership and abilities, saying he was certain she could lead the party to victory. “I didn’t step aside because I didn’t think I could do it—I stepped aside because I wanted to make sure the party had its best shot at winning. That’s what matters most, even more than my own ambitions,” he said.
Biden’s words carried a tone of humility and dedication to the party, showing that his decision to step back was rooted in a desire to prioritize unity and the greater good. “At the end of the day,” he concluded, “it’s not about me. It’s about making sure this country moves forward.”
