Biden Admits Pressure from Pelosi and Democrats Led to His Presidential Exit in First Interview Since Withdrawal

President Joe Biden revealed in his first TV interview since his unexpected withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race that Democratic Party elites, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, played a significant role in his decision to exit.

In an interview with “CBS News Sunday Morning,” Biden disclosed that concerns from within the party about his potential impact on their electoral chances influenced his choice to step down.

Biden, 81, expressed that some Democrats in both the House and Senate feared his candidacy could harm their prospects for reelection. He noted that he was concerned that staying in the race would lead to ongoing distractions, including negative scrutiny from party members.

“A number of my Democratic colleagues in the House and Senate thought that I was going to hurt them in the races,” Biden said. “I was concerned if I stayed in the race, that would be the topic — why did Nancy Pelosi say [something] … and I thought it’d be a real distraction.”

Pelosi speaking out against him was a key concern for Biden, he said. CBS Sunday Morning

The President also reflected on his performance during a debate against former President Donald Trump in late June, which was widely criticized.

He suggested that his age and the need to focus on “maintaining this democracy” were also factors in his decision. Following his withdrawal, Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, who has since gained ground in polls against Trump.

Pelosi, 84, initially supported Biden but shifted her stance as internal Democratic opposition grew. She was said to have urged Biden to reconsider his candidacy. However, she has publicly maintained that her efforts aimed to ensure the party’s success rather than directly pressuring him to leave the race.

“Nancy made clear that they could do this the easy way or the hard way,” a source familiar with the discussions told Politico. “She gave them three weeks of the easy way. It was about to be the hard way.”

Pelosi has been cautious about discussing her role, stating that she never directly pressured Biden but acknowledged receiving calls about the need for changes in campaign leadership.

She publicly expressed support for Biden post-withdrawal, praising him as a “consequential” president while critiquing aspects of his political strategy.

Despite Biden’s acknowledgement of the pressure he faced, he did not directly address the specifics of his relationship with Pelosi.

He also refrained from commenting on the impact of polls showing him trailing Trump.

Biden reiterated that his poor debate performance was due to being ill and expressed concerns about the potential for unrest if Trump lost the upcoming election.

As part of his ongoing support for Harris, Biden plans to campaign with her in key states and expressed readiness to assist in any way necessary.

“My grandchildren call me Pop, my children call me Dad. And they said they were proud, and it mattered,” Biden said, reflecting on his decision. He also shared that he frequently considers the advice of his late son, Beau, who had urged him to stay engaged in politics.