In a candid recording, ABC News' George Stephanopoulos said he didn't believe President Joe Biden could serve another four years in office.
In an effort to quell concerns after Biden's poor debate performance with former President Donald Trump late last month, the president sat with Stephanopoulos for an ABC interview. However, many grew more concerned with Biden after the interview aired last Friday.
In a Tuesday video obtained by TMZ, Stephanopolous, the former White House press secretary to President Bill Clinton, expressed doubt with the president's future in office after a man on the street asked if Stephanopolous thought Biden should withdraw from the 2024 race.
“Do you think Biden should step down?” a man recording asked Stephanopolous as he was walking through New York City. “You’ve talked to him more than anybody else has lately.”
“I don’t think he can serve four more years,” Stephanopoulos responded.
“You don’t think he can serve four more years?” the man repeated. “All right, that’s an answer.” #GeorgeStephanopoulos just made a STUNNING comment: he told someone on the streets of #NewYork that he doesn't think President #JoeBiden can serve another term! https://t.co/cFMK2Uxx4z pic.twitter.com/pxKkolFcGt
— TMZ (@TMZ) July 9, 2024
During his interview with Stephanopolous, Biden admitted to having a "bad night" during his debate with Trump, which was hosted by CNN, citing "exhaustion" from his travel schedule despite spending nearly a week preparing for the debate in Camp David.
"It was a bad episode. No indication of any serious condition. I was exhausted," Biden told Stephanopoulos. "I didn't listen to my instincts in terms of preparing and--and a bad night."
Biden later claimed he was ill during the debate.
"I was feeling terrible. Matter of fact, the docs with me," the president continued, "I asked if they did a COVID test because they’re trying to figure out what was wrong. They did a test to see whether or not I had some infection, you know, a virus. I didn't. I just had a really bad cold."
Biden also claimed Trump spoke over him during their debate, though his claim was misleading as respondents' microphones were shut off outside their response time per CNN's debate rules.
“Even when I was answering a question, even though they turned his mic off, he was still shouting,” Biden claimed. “And I let it distract me.”
