ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos confronted Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley over her claims that President Joe Biden would not finish his current term in office. Haley's assertion sparked a heated exchange, with Stephanopoulos demanding evidence to support her prediction.
In a tense interview on ABC's "Good Morning America," George Stephanopoulos clashed with Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley over her repeated claims that President Joe Biden would not finish his current term.
"There's no way Joe Biden is gonna finish his term," Haley stated, adding that she believed Vice President Kamala Harris would succeed him.
Stephanopoulos Clashes with Haley Over Biden's Ability to Complete Term
Stephanopoulos interrupted Haley, demanding an explanation for her assertion. "How do you know Joe Biden's not gonna finish his term? What is that based on?" he inquired.
Haley responded by citing Biden's perceived decline in recent years, referencing his inability to name the current day of the week or the number of grandchildren he has. She argued that Biden's mental health should be a concern for Americans.
Stephanopoulos Clashes with Haley Over Biden's Ability to Complete Term
"We have to start making sure we have a new generation," Haley said. "Everybody feels that- Republicans, Democrats, and independents feel that, and it's time that the media acknowledge that."
Stephanopoulos pressed Haley for evidence supporting her prediction that Biden would not complete his term, but she declined to provide specifics. She instead pointed to Biden's age and his apparent cognitive lapses.
Stephanopoulos Clashes with Haley Over Biden's Ability to Complete Term
"I mean, if you look at the decline... every person should be able to tell what country they were in the week before. He couldn't do that," Haley said. "Every person should be able to tell how many grandkids they have. It's the reason I've asked for mental competency tests for anyone over the age of 75. I don't care if we do it for over the age of 50! But we need to understand that the people in DC, they're making decisions on our national security. They're making decisions on the future of our children's economic policy. We need to make sure we've got someone at the top of their game. Joe Biden is not at the top of his game. You know it. I know it. The American people know it."
Stephanopoulos's challenge to Haley's claims prompted a social media victory lap from the former South Carolina governor, who tweeted, "Believe me now, George?"
Stephanopoulos Clashes with Haley Over Biden's Ability to Complete Term
The exchange between Stephanopoulos and Haley has gained renewed attention after it was announced that Biden will give his first post-debate interview to ABC News on Friday. Biden's performance at the Democratic presidential debate last week has sparked concerns among some Democrats about his mental fitness for office.
Stephanopoulos himself has come under scrutiny for his perceived defensive posture regarding Biden's mental acuity last year. However, recent reports have raised concerns about Biden's cognitive health, including a CNN report that some of his close allies have witnessed numerous occasions where he appeared confused and disoriented.
Axios has also reported that aides claim Biden is "dependably engaged" only from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., while the New York Times reported that debate prep at Camp David "never started before 11 a.m." and that Biden took "an afternoon nap" each day.
Biden's poor debate performance has led to calls from some Democrats for him to withdraw from the presidential race. The New York Times editorial board wrote that Biden's "greatest public service" would be to step aside, while former President Barack Obama has stated that "bad debate nights happen," but the choice for voters remains between Biden and the Republican candidate.
