“I Would’ve Defeated Trump if I Hadn’t Withdrawn” – Biden

U.S. President Joe Biden has stated he could have defeated Donald Trump and secured re-election in November had he remained in the presidential race. In an exclusive interview with USA Today, Biden, 82, reflected on his decision to withdraw, citing concerns about his stamina for another term.

“So far, so good,” Biden remarked. “But who knows what I’m going to be when I’m 86 years old?” He also revealed ongoing deliberations about granting pre-emptive pardons to key figures who opposed Trump, including former Republican congresswoman Liz Cheney and former health official Dr. Anthony Fauci. Biden recounted discussing the issue of pardons with Trump during a meeting in the Oval Office after the election, advising Trump against pursuing a path of retribution.

“I tried to make it clear that there was no need, and it was counterintuitive for his interest to go back and try to settle scores,” Biden said, adding that Trump listened without objection. Biden indicated his final decisions on pardons might depend on Trump’s cabinet selections.

Despite their political rivalry, Biden noted that Trump was complimentary about his economic performance during their conversation. “He [Trump] thought I was leaving with a good record,” Biden shared.

The interview, published Wednesday, was Biden’s first and only with a print outlet since his July 21 withdrawal from the race. His media engagements have been limited since stepping aside, and he has avoided press conferences entirely.

During the interview, Biden defended his full pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, who faced charges of tax evasion and illegal firearm purchases. While the decision faced backlash, even from his own party, Biden maintained the pardon was justified despite his earlier pledge not to intervene in the matter.

Biden’s decision to withdraw from the race followed mounting criticism over his age and mental fitness, with many suggesting he delayed his announcement too long. Reflecting on the situation, Biden expressed confidence in his ability to win had he stayed in the race but acknowledged the challenges his age might have posed for another term.

“When Trump was running again for re-election, I really thought I had the best chance of beating him,” Biden said. “But I wasn’t looking to be president when I was 85 or 86 years old. Who the hell knows?”

Biden’s withdrawal cleared the way for Vice President Kamala Harris to lead the Democratic ticket, though she ultimately lost to Trump. Following the election, figures such as former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi suggested the party might have fared better if Biden had exited earlier.