WATCH: Fox News’ @JacquiHeinrich reports Joe Biden revealed to donors at a fundraiser today: “If Trump wasn't running, I'm not sure I'd be running… but we cannot let him win.” pic.twitter.com/OJdVbDcIvkPresident Joe Biden was asked if he would drop out of the race if Donald Trump dropped out while speaking to reporters on the South Lawn of the White House on Tuesday evening.
Speaking at a fundraiser earlier in the day, Biden had said, "If Trump wasn’t running, I’m not sure I’d be running. But we cannot let him win for the sake of the country."
— TV News Now (@TVNewsNow) December 5, 2023
Biden was pressed for more details by a reporter as he stepped off Marine One.
"Would you be running for President if Trump wasn’t running?" the reporter asked.
"I expect so but look," Biden replied. "He is running and I have to run."
The reporter followed up, "Would you drop out if Trump drops out?"
"No, not now," Biden replied. Q: “Would you be running if Trump wasn't running?”
BIDEN: “I expect so ... I have to run”
Q: “Would you drop out if Trump drops out?”
BIDEN: “No.. not now”
— ALX 🇺🇸 (@alx) December 6, 2023
Trump responded to Biden's comment during a town hall with Sean Hannity on Tuesday evening, saying, “Well I think somebody gave him a talking point.” Trump reacts to Biden saying "If Trump wasn’t running, I’m not sure I’d be running" at a fundraising event today.
“Well I think somebody gave him a talking point.”
Imagine the establishment is so afraid of Trump that they not only funding Biden’s campaign but DeSantis’s and… pic.twitter.com/0uoSAAiFde
— I Meme Therefore I Am 🇺🇸 (@ImMeme0) December 6, 2023
Trump has maintained his status as the clear frontrunner throughout his campaign for the Republican primary.
According to the RealClearPolitics current average of polls, Trump has 61.3 percent support — distantly followed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis with 13.2, Nikki Haley with 10.2 percent, and Vivek Ramaswamy with five percent.
When looking at hypothetical general election matchups, Trump leads Biden 46.7 percent to 44.7 percent.
A DeSantis versus Biden election has a similar result, with 46.8 percent supporting the governor and 45.8 percent supporting the president.