CNN's Kasie Hunt grilled Biden campaign co-chair Mitch Landrieu about growing pressure on the president to drop out of the 2024 race after a weak debate performance, sparking a tense exchange.
CNN's Kasie Hunt grilled Biden campaign co-chair Mitch Landrieu on Friday, pressing him on whether President Biden would consider stepping down from the 2024 presidential race amid calls from media figures for his replacement.
The grilling came after Biden's widely criticized performance in Thursday's debate against former President Donald Trump, prompting New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman and others to advocate for his withdrawal.
Biden's Inner Circle Defends Debate Performance Amid Calls to Replace Him
"Sir, do you think Democrats should consider replacing Joe Biden at the top of the presidential ticket?" Hunt asked Landrieu. "I've had several [people] raise the possibility privately in conversations."
Landrieu dismissed the notion, saying, "This is a conversation that's been going on for the past two and a half years. It's not likely to happen."
Biden's Inner Circle Defends Debate Performance Amid Calls to Replace Him
Despite acknowledging that Biden's debate performance was lackluster, Landrieu defended the president's abilities.
"The president might have lost the debate on style but he won it on facts, he won it on decency," Landrieu said.
Biden's Inner Circle Defends Debate Performance Amid Calls to Replace Him
Hunt further pressed Landrieu on whether Democrats felt deceived by Biden's inner circle regarding his fitness for office.
"Do you feel at all misled by Democrats very close to President Biden who have insisted that there has been no change in this man over the course of the last two years that would impact his ability to serve another four years?" Hunt asked.
Landrieu denied any deception, stating, "No, not at all."
A CNN poll conducted after the debate revealed a significant advantage for Trump, with 67% of viewers believing he won compared to 33% for Biden.
Despite the concerns raised, Landrieu maintained that Biden would remain the Democratic nominee in 2024.
"If Joe Biden loses this election to Donald Trump — so many in your party see this as an existential fight over democracy — will he be to blame for a second Trump term?" Hunt asked.
"He's going to be the nominee," Landrieu said.
The Biden campaign declined to comment on Hunt's questions.
