NBC News' Chuck Todd said President Joe Biden's anger with those calling on him to bow out of the 2024 presidential race was "misplaced."
Todd, NBC News' chief political analyst, made his remarks in an X post in response to Biden's call-in to MSNBC's Morning Joe earlier that morning, in which the president took issue with "elites" in the Democratic Party calling on him to drop out.
“I’m getting so frustrated by the elites in the party," Biden said. "They know so much more.”
The president went on to challenge his detractors and called on them to announce their own bid for the White House to challenge him during the upcoming Democratic National Convention.
"Biden’s anger at 'elites' is a bit misplaced," Todd wrote. "Without the 'elites,' he would have had a serious primary foe. Without the 'elites,' the No Labels effort would have a compelling ticket."
"Arguably, it’s the 'elites' who put too much faith in Biden that got the Dems in this position," the NBC host added. Biden’s anger at “elites” is a bit misplaced. Without the “elites,” he would have had a serious primary foe. Without the “elites,” the No Labels effort would have a compelling ticket. Arguably, it’s the “elites” who put too much faith in Biden that got the Dems in this position.
— Chuck Todd (@chucktodd) July 8, 2024
Many users found irony in Todd's post, claiming the same elites lauded by the NBC News host shielded Biden from criticism leading up to the debate.
"The ‘elites’ assured Biden’s nomination by refusing to go on-the-record with the grave concerns they whispered in private,” wrote The Atlantic staff writer Tim Alberta. Ding ding ding. The “elites” assured Biden’s nomination by refusing to go on-the-record with the grave concerns they whispered in private. https://t.co/HbjkyR61Wx
— Tim Alberta (@TimAlberta) July 8, 2024
"It was the elites who pushed him in 2020 knowing his condition," wrote another user. It was the elites who pushed him in 2020 knowing his condition. https://t.co/zDPGIO64sh
— tolle lege (CollinB) (@crbrendemuehl) July 8, 2024
On Monday, Biden issued a letter to Congress on Monday vowing to see the race through the November election.
"Despite all the speculation in the press and elsewhere, I am firmly committed to staying in this race, to running this race to the end, and to beating Donald Trump," Biden wrote.
“Any weakening of resolve or lack of clarity about the task ahead only helps Trump and hurts us,” he continued. “It is time to come together, move forward as a unified party, and defeat Donald Trump.”
