Jill Biden recalls concern for husband’s health during debate
Jill Biden has revealed she thought her husband Joe was “having a stroke” during his infamous debate performance against Donald Trump on June 27, 2024, describing the experience as alarming, reports BritPanorama.
The former US president struggled to articulate his thoughts, appearing disoriented and incoherent at several points throughout the presidential debate. Jill Biden, witnessing the episode, expressed her shock and fear, saying, “I was frightened because I had never, ever seen Joe like that before or since. Never.”
During her interview with CBS News, she explained, “I don’t know what happened. As I watched it, I thought, ‘Oh, my God, he’s having a stroke.’ And it scared me to death.” Following the debate, Biden faced significant scrutiny and calls to withdraw from the 2024 race for reelection, a reaction that underscored the impact of the event.
The next day, Biden, who was 81 at the time, acknowledged the challenges he faced, admitting that he does not “speak as smoothly,” “debate as well,” or “walk as easily” as he has in the past. Members of his own party characterized the performance as an “unmitigated disaster” and “a slow-motion car crash.” Despite this, the White House maintained that Biden was suffering from a cold and sore throat during the debate.
In the aftermath, he retreated to Camp David with Jill and family as pressure mounted for him to step down from the election. Although he later stated, “I didn’t have a great night, but I’m going to be fighting harder,” doubts lingered about his capacity to continue his campaign. Initially, Jill defended his candidacy to major donors, asserting he was “the only person for the job,” and praised his debate performance to supportive audiences.
However, on July 21, Biden ultimately decided to withdraw from the presidential race and endorsed then-Vice President Kamala Harris to succeed him. His health had been an ongoing concern since he announced his reelection bid in April 2023. Jill Biden continually affirmed his mental acuity but advocated for more rest behind the scenes, taking an active role in managing his schedule.
Jill later reflected that his choice to step down was the “right call.” Harris proceeded to lose the election by a significant margin to Trump, marking the first time a Democrat had lost the popular vote in two decades. Jill Biden is currently promoting her forthcoming memoir, “View from the East Wing,” which is set for release on June 2, detailing her experiences in the White House and their impact on her family.
As political dynamics shift in the aftermath of the debates and elections, the events underline the pressures that incumbent leaders face and the continued scrutiny of their health and capabilities.
