The Democrats may have lost the White House to the Republicans, but outgoing President Joe Biden firmly believes he could’ve held onto it. According to The Washington Post, Biden is convinced that had he stayed in the race, he would’ve triumphed over Donald Trump in the 2024 election.
Back in July 2024, Biden, at 82 years old, made the call to step aside after winning his party’s primaries. Citing personal and national considerations, he threw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee. Despite securing her party’s nomination, Harris fell short on election day, handing victory to her Republican rival, Trump.
Insiders point to Biden’s late withdrawal as a key factor in Harris’ defeat. With limited time to solidify her presence as a presidential contender, her campaign struggled to gain the traction needed to fend off Trump.
Questions surrounding Biden’s health had loomed large prior to his decision to step down. High-profile gaffes, especially during his televised debate with Trump, fueled skepticism about his readiness for another term. Though Harris initially polled better than Biden, her approval ratings began slipping as the campaign unfolded.
Adding to Biden’s regrets is his decision to appoint Merrick Garland as Attorney General. According to The Washington Post, Biden now laments Garland’s cautious approach, particularly regarding investigations into his son, Hunter Biden, and Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election. Many Democrats had hoped Trump would face charges that might’ve dented his campaign.
Ultimately, Trump emerged victorious with 312 electoral votes, exceeding his 2016 total by eight. Biden, reflecting on what could’ve been, remains certain he would’ve defeated Trump had he stayed in the race.
