ABC News anchor Jonathan Karl says the highly anticipated interview with President Biden won't alleviate the concerns of "jittery Democrats" pushing him to step down from the 2024 race.
ABC News' Jonathan Karl has cast a grim shadow over President Biden's recent interview, asserting that it will not pacify the growing number of Democrats who are urging him to reconsider his bid for re-election in 2024.
"I don't think the interview will calm the nerves of jittery Democrats who are pushing to get him out of the race," Karl stated.
ABC News Anchor's Blunt Assessment: Biden Interview Won't Calm Democrats' Jitters
ABC News swiftly distanced itself from Karl's candid remarks, emphasizing that his opinion did not reflect the official stance of the network. "George expressed his own point of view and not the position of ABC News," the network asserted in a statement.
In a seeming display of regret, Karl later admitted, "Earlier today I responded to a question from a passerby. I shouldn't have."
ABC News Anchor's Blunt Assessment: Biden Interview Won't Calm Democrats' Jitters
The White House has vehemently rejected Karl's assessment, with spokesperson Andrew Bates directing attention to the press briefing comments made by press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. Jean-Pierre affirmed that President Biden remains steadfast in his commitment to completing a full second term.
Biden would be 86 years old at the end of a second term if re-elected.
ABC News Anchor's Blunt Assessment: Biden Interview Won't Calm Democrats' Jitters
ABC's swift denunciation of Karl's statement is not without context. The Disney-owned network has been awarded the rights to host the second presidential debate between Biden and former President Donald Trump on September 10.
The debate will be moderated by ABC's David Muir and Linsey Davis, though whether it will proceed as planned remains uncertain. Biden's lackluster performance in the first debate raised doubts about his ability to handle further spotlight, while Trump, currently leading in the polls, may be hesitant to provide Biden with any momentum.
ABC News Anchor's Blunt Assessment: Biden Interview Won't Calm Democrats' Jitters
Despite ABC's hope for both candidates to participate, the network's perception that its chief political anchor harbors doubts about Biden's fitness for office may not contribute positively to the event.
Biden's debate performance sparked widespread calls from media outlets and within the Democratic party to withdraw from the 2024 race. Biden, however, has remained adamant, repeatedly declaring his intent to stay in the race and his conviction that he is the strongest candidate to defeat Trump.
His interview with ABC News was widely seen as a litmus test for his mental capacity to continue his re-election bid. However, the 22-minute interview failed to quell the internal tensions within the Democratic party.
Biden raised eyebrows when he expressed uncertainty about watching the CNN debate, telling interviewer George Stephanopoulos, "I don't think so, no."
His reluctance to commit to a cognitive test, repeatedly emphasizing that he undergoes daily examinations as commander-in-chief, further irked Democrats.
Biden also drew criticism for stating that he would be content with a hypothetical defeat against Trump, provided he "gave it [his] all."
These statements have deepened the concerns among Democrats, who see Biden's cognitive abilities and his unwavering commitment to the race as potential liabilities in the upcoming election.
