It was a very different Joe Biden as the outgoing US president walked to the White House Rose Garden to make his first statement following Kamala Harris’ stunning loss to Republican Donald Trump. Gone was the frail, disheveled, tired and cautious Biden who dropped out of the race in July over concerns about his age and health. As he addressed the nation on Thursday, the outgoing president was calm and surprisingly optimistic.
“Remember, defeat does not mean we are defeated,” an energetic Biden said as he vowed to ensure a peaceful and orderly transfer of power. Biden’s six-minute speech was devoid of gaffes or missteps, as evidenced by his previous speeches and debates, as the president made several references to election integrity, contrasting himself with Trump.
But more than his statement, it was the “resilience of his step” and his strength that sparked a debate on social media.
“Joe Biden is suddenly super sharp,” one user commented. Another noted, “Biden was not sleepy and sloppy as usual, but quite energetic and articulate.” “He regained his youth, his strength, his dementia disappeared, his skin improved, the halitosis receded, he gained a new vocabulary, his soul sings,” said a third user.
Another user tweeted: “Why did Joe Biden sound so clear and normal in his speech this morning? He doesn’t stutter once. He pronounces everything well. He emphasizes things in the right way. He sounds great.”
Just a few months ago, however, Biden came under heavy fire from his own party after a disastrous presidential debate against Trump. As more than 50 million Americans watched, Biden stumbled over numbers and words and struggled to complete sentences. He seemed unfocused, with empty eyes. He then had to be helped off stage by the First Lady.
It even led to a lashing out from Trump. “I really don’t know what he said… I don’t think he knows what he said,” Trump had said.
It led to a new round of calls for the Democrat to consider stepping aside. Rumors also circulated that Biden was being treated for Parkinson’s disease – a charge denied by the White House.
At least 20 Democratic members of the House of Representatives publicly called on Biden to withdraw from the race amid a slew of verbal missteps at his rallies.
However, the 81-year-old took a defiant stance, saying he was the only Democrat who could beat Trump and publicly vowing he was fit to serve another four years as president. Days later, Biden announced he was withdrawing from the 2024 race for the White House and endorsed Kamala Harris.
This development left Harris with just three months to mount a fledgling campaign for the Democrats. Her efforts proved not enough to prevent Trump from returning to the White House for a second term.
Published by:
Abishek De
Published on:
November 8, 2024