Former U.S. President Joe Biden stated that he believed he could have won the presidential election had he remained in the race. However, he admitted uncertainty about whether he could have completed another full term in office.
At 82, Biden withdrew from the presidential race after facing intense criticism from his own party following a disastrous televised debate against Donald Trump, where he appeared unable to effectively argue for a second term.
Vice President Kamala Harris went on to secure the Democratic nomination but ultimately lost the election to Trump.
When asked by USA Today if defeating Republican Donald Trump had been a realistic possibility last November, Biden referenced unspecified polling data, responding, “I think yes.”
“I genuinely believed I had the best shot at beating him,” Biden remarked. “But I wasn’t eager to still be president at 85 or 86 years old. That’s why I spoke about passing the baton.”
He added, “But honestly, who knows? So far, so good. But who can say what I’ll be like at 86?”
On Regrets
Reflecting on his presidency, Biden admitted he regretted not doing more to combat misinformation, particularly from Trump.
“With how information spreads today, there are no editors to step in and say, ‘That’s simply not true,’” Biden told USA Today.
He also expressed disappointment over delays in launching infrastructure projects.
“I think we would’ve been much better off if we had been able to push these projects forward more quickly,” he said.
In the election, Trump secured 312 electoral college votes compared to Kamala Harris’s 226. Trump is set to assume office in Washington, D.C., on January 20 following the certification of results on January 6.
