USA Biden is combative: "I'm not going anywhere"
Incumbent Joe Biden is confident in the heated election campaign debate about his possible withdrawal as a presidential candidate. "I'm not going anywhere," Biden said at a barbecue for active military personnel in the White House garden to mark National Day celebrations.
Meanwhile, his Republican challenger Donald Trump challenged the 81-year-old to another TV duel. "Let's have another debate, but this time without taboos - a debate where just the two of us stand on stage and talk about the future of our country," he wrote on his mouthpiece "Truth Social"
After his TV debacle against Trump, Biden is fighting on all fronts to save his presidential candidacy. A week ago, he made a disastrous appearance in the evening TV duel, misspoke several times and lost the plot. After the performance, a debate broke out in the USA about whether Biden is really the right Democratic candidate for the presidential election in November.
This Friday, he wants to give a TV interview to dispel doubts about his suitability. It is to be broadcast at prime time (2.00 a.m. on Saturday night in Germany). He will have to speak freely during the interview. During his appointments on National Day, Biden largely read from the teleprompter, as he does in almost all of his appearances, but he also floundered here time and again.
Short speech on National Day
In the USA, every appearance by the oldest president in the country's history is now watched with suspicious eyes. His actual National Day speech in the evening was very brief. US Vice President Kamala Harris praised Biden effusively and called him "an extraordinary president". The US national holiday on July 4, which dates back to the Declaration of Independence in 1776, is traditionally celebrated with parties, parades and fireworks.
In the afternoon, Biden received soldiers in the garden of the seat of government in the US capital Washington. After a short, read-out speech, he then apparently addressed his guests again spontaneously and assured them that he was "not going anywhere". A supporter had previously shouted: "Keep fighting! We need you!"
Reports: Biden wants to limit evening appointments
Biden's health and the question of whether he is still fit enough for office have been a recurring theme in recent months. Now new reports on his physical condition are causing a stir. In a meeting with governors, Biden is said to have told media reports that he needs to sleep more and work less. This would also mean limiting his participation in events after 8 pm. At the same time, he is said to have made it clear that he wants to remain in the race for the White House.
CNN reported that Biden's comments had frustrated some of the governors. The US media had already previously written that Biden was often not particularly fit, especially in the evening, and that the risk of slips of the tongue was particularly high during such appointments. The TV debate with Trump a week ago also took place in the evening.
Trump challenges Biden again
Trump is using his opponent's current weakness for his own purposes. In recent days, the otherwise rather riotous Republican has kept a conspicuously low profile. Now the 78-year-old has written that Biden's lack of competence will become clear in another debate.
A second TV debate is planned anyway - in September, i.e. after the Democratic Party conference in Chicago in August. Biden is actually due to be officially chosen as the presidential candidate there. He has collected the necessary delegate votes in the primaries. It remains to be seen whether he can continue to withstand the pressure in his own party - or whether he will throw in the towel after all.
