During a meeting at the White House with Democratic governors, President Joe Biden reportedly mentioned that as part of his plan going forward, he intends to avoid scheduling events after 8 p.m. in order to prioritize getting more sleep, according to a new report by @cnn.Â
These comments were reportedly made as 81-year-old President Joe Biden aimed to reassure a gathering of over 20 Democratic governors about his capability to secure victory over former President Donald Trump in the November elections and effectively govern for another four years.
According to sources speaking to CNN, Biden’s statement left many of the governors in the room feeling frustrated. This response is cited as one of the reasons why some participants were displeased by the Biden campaign’s distribution of a statement expressing loyalty and enthusiasm from them on Thursday.
A Biden campaign aide defended the President’s schedule by highlighting that in the week following his trips to Europe, he not only conducted debate preparation but also dedicated numerous hours to official duties alongside campaign activities. During the meeting with governors, Biden attempted to lighten the mood with a joke that received a mixed response: “I’m fine — I don’t know about my brain, though.” Jen O’Malley Dillon, Biden’s campaign chairwoman, clarified that the President’s comment was meant as a joke, followed by a serious remark when he said, “All kidding aside.”
After President Biden’s lackluster performance in CNN’s presidential debate last week, some Democrats are urging him to withdraw from the race. This has put the White House in a difficult position as they try to persuade skeptics within the party and the general public. In the aftermath, administration officials have been offering mixed and unclear explanations as they try to shape the narrative around a performance that has heightened worries about Biden’s age.