In his first interview since the attempt on his political rival’s life, President Joe Biden defended his strong rhetoric against Donald Trump and explained its importance.
Speaking with NBC’s Lester Holt, Biden emphasized that his campaign had a duty to clearly articulate the dangers of a second Trump term. He argued that it wasn’t his words that needed to be moderated, though he did express regret over a specific comment made during a private donor call.
Biden admitted it was a “mistake” to have said it was “time to put Trump in a bullseye” just days before the assassination attempt on Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania.
The president clarified that his intention was to urge Democrats to concentrate more on Trump, his policies, and the misleading statements he made during the recent presidential debate.
Despite calls from within his own party for him to step aside following his underwhelming debate performance, Biden firmly stated that he would continue his presidential campaign.
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“I’m old,” he acknowledged, noting that he is only three years younger than Trump. He reassured Americans of his mental fitness and listed his accomplishments as president. Biden also recognized the need to reaffirm his capability to lead the country.
“I understand why people say, ‘God, he’s 81 years old. Whoa. What’s he going to be when he’s 83 years old, 84 years?’ It’s a legitimate question to ask,” he admitted. Biden expressed confidence in the voters who overwhelmingly supported him in the Democratic primary, stating, “I listen to them.”
Following the shooting at Trump’s rally, where Trump was grazed by a bullet and one crowd member was killed while two others were critically injured, Biden has consistently called for Americans to “lower the temperature.”
Approximately a dozen Republicans have blamed Biden and other Democrats for inciting the assassination attempt, particularly pointing to Biden’s “bullseye” comment.
According to Politico, during the donor call, Biden said, “I have one job, and that’s to beat Donald Trump. I’m absolutely certain I’m the best person to be able to do that. So, we’re done talking about the debate. It’s time to put Trump in a bullseye.”
In response to the attack, President Biden delivered an Oval Office address on Sunday, condemning the violence and urging Americans to “take a step back,” highlighting that “political rhetoric in this country has gotten very heated.”
When asked in the NBC interview if he had reflected on his past remarks to ensure they did not incite violence among unstable individuals, Biden firmly stated that he had not engaged in inflammatory rhetoric. “I’ve not engaged in that rhetoric,” Biden said. “Now, my opponent is engaged in that rhetoric.”
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Biden stressed the necessity of addressing the real threat to democracy posed by Trump’s actions and statements. “How do you talk about the threat to democracy, which is real, when a president says things like he says? Do you just not say anything, because it may incite somebody?” he questioned.
Biden contrasted himself with Trump, saying, “I am not the guy that said I want to be a dictator on day one, I am not the guy that refused to accept the outcome of the election.”
In his interview, Biden maintained that his focus was on the welfare of the country and the preservation of its democratic values. He called for a collective effort to tone down the aggressive political discourse and to concentrate on constructive, policy-driven discussions for the nation’s future.