Biden Still Regrets Dropping Out of 2024 Race, Believes He Could Have Beaten Trump: Report

Joe Biden reportedly remains convinced he could have defeated Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election, despite his decision to drop out of the race last summer following a series of setbacks, according to The Washington Post.

Decision to Withdraw

The outgoing president withdrew from the race on July 21, citing a disastrous first debate against Trump, low approval ratings, and financial struggles within his campaign. However, Biden has privately told aides and confidants that he believes he could have triumphed in November, despite these challenges.

Aftermath of His Withdrawal

Biden’s late endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee left her campaign with only three months to mount a challenge against Trump. Harris ultimately lost in all the battleground states and the popular vote by 2.2 million—a significant blow to Democratic hopes of retaining the presidency.

Critics within the Democratic Party argue that Biden’s delayed decision to step aside hindered Harris’ chances. Some supporters of Harris have also expressed frustration with Biden for seeking a second term after initially positioning himself as a “transitional president” who would pave the way for a younger generation of Democratic leadership.

Hindsight and Regret

According to sources familiar with Biden’s private remarks, he has acknowledged other perceived missteps during his presidency. Among them is his appointment of Merrick Garland as attorney general, whom Biden reportedly felt was too slow in prosecuting Trump for his alleged role in the January 6 Capitol riots. Conversely, Garland’s Justice Department aggressively pursued charges against Biden’s son, Hunter, which culminated in convictions that prompted Biden to issue a controversial pardon earlier this month.

Criticism of Biden’s Strategy

Some Democrats believe Biden’s decision to run for re-election went against his original pledge to serve as a transitional figure, focused on ending Trumpism and ushering in a new era of leadership. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) remarked, “Biden ran on the promise that he was going to be a transitional president… I think his running again broke that concept.”

Future Reflections

As Biden prepares to leave the White House, his remarks reflect a leader grappling with what might have been. While his supporters maintain that his presidency brought significant legislative victories, such as bipartisan infrastructure reform, his withdrawal from the 2024 race and its subsequent fallout will likely remain a key topic in analyses of his legacy.

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