Family members of President Joe Biden have talked about possible ways to end his candidacy, according to two individuals with knowledge of the conversations.
Overall, these people said, the talks have been about how any exit strategy should position the party to defeat former President Donald Trump while also being commensurate with the more than five decades that Biden has served the nation in elected office, should he choose to do so, as some of his closest allies now feel he will.
Family members of Biden have explicitly talked about how he would want to withdraw from the race for reelection at his own discretion and with a well thought-out strategy in place. The individuals with knowledge of the discussions stated that the campaign’s effects on his family, health, and national stability are among the main topics of conversation.
It is an incredible revelation that Biden is thinking about leaving the party, let alone that his family is plotting an escape, given that he has consistently declared he would not give up his position as the party’s presumed nominee.
However, after a disastrous debate three weeks ago, worries have grown among party leaders, funders, and even officials involved in his reelection campaign with each passing day. Democrats are also observing Republicans unite behind Trump, who just this Thursday night accepted his party’s nomination after escaping an attempted murder.
Andrew Bates, the White House spokesperson, refuted reports that the family is having such exit talks.
He declared, “That is not happening, period. The individuals making those claims are not speaking for his family or his team — and they will be proven wrong. Keep the faith.”
Speaking on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” on Friday, Biden’s campaign manager, Jen O’Malley Dillon, claimed that while there has been some “slippage,” there has only been “a small movement” and that Biden is “absolutely” still in the race.
In an interview, Biden’s longtime advisor and former White House chief of staff, Ron Klain, stated that he is aware of both public and private requests for him to withdraw from the race.