Former President Donald Trump’s advisers and allies viewed President Joe Biden’s press conference as the best-case scenario for the Republican’s campaign: not enough to force him out but with enough errors that they can mine the event for opposition material.
Republicans Capitalize on Biden’s Gaffes
Strategic Advantage for Trump
Trump’s campaign hopes Biden stays in the race, believing he is the weakest candidate for the former president to face in November. Their strategy centers on portraying Biden as not mentally fit for the presidency. Fred Doucette, a New Hampshire state representative who chaired Trump’s prior presidential campaigns in the state, said, “This is great. Sit back and let [Democrats] do this. You don’t attack an enemy that’s attacking themselves. … And that bandwagon [calling on Biden to get out] is only going to get bigger.”
Highlighting Biden’s Mistakes
During the press conference, Trump mocked Biden for mistakenly calling Vice President Kamala Harris “Vice President Trump.” His campaign quickly turned that moment into a video clip, highlighting the error and sarcastically posting, “Great job, Joe!”
Internal Party Concerns
Democratic Discontent
Despite Biden’s attempt to project confidence, at least 17 House Democrats and one Democratic senator have called on him to step aside. An ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll released Thursday showed Trump beating Biden 47-46%, but trailing Harris 49-46% in a hypothetical matchup.
Mixed Reactions
A Trump adviser commented on Biden’s performance, saying, “Democrats’ worst nightmare is unfolding. … He gave us enough new material and may stave off his insurrection.” A Trump ally echoed this sentiment, stating, “Best of both worlds. Bad but not bad enough to be forced out.” Both spoke anonymously as they weren’t authorized to speak publicly.
Trump’s Reaction and Upcoming Plans
Trump’s Response
Donald Trump Jr. acknowledged that Biden did better than expected, stating on his Rumble livestream, “I think he did fine enough to be able to stay in it — he doesn’t want to go.” He later shared a social media post blending Harris and Trump’s faces, captioned “Vice President Trump.”
When asked for an official comment, a Trump campaign spokesperson referred to Trump’s social media posts. Earlier, Trump met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who flew to Mar-a-Lago after the NATO summit in Washington. Orbán said they talked about “peace,” and added, “He will figure it out!”
Convention and Running Mate Announcement
Since Biden’s dismal June 27 debate, the Trump campaign has allowed the president to dominate the news cycle, preferring to let Biden draw headlines about his gaffes and the growing Democratic discontent. However, Republicans are preparing for their convention starting Monday, when Trump will need to step into the spotlight. In the coming days, he is expected to announce his running mate, though campaign staff concede they’re content in the meantime to let Biden dominate the news.
Biden vs. Trump: A High-Stakes Battle
The recent press conference has underscored the strategic dynamics at play in the upcoming presidential race. As Biden grapples with internal party dissent and public gaffes, Trump’s camp is seizing every opportunity to capitalize on his missteps. The coming months will be crucial as both campaigns maneuver for advantage in a high-stakes battle for the White House.
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