President Joe Biden, in his first tv interview since his CNN debate with former President Donald Trump, sat down with ABC Information anchor George Stephanopoulos in Madison, Wisconsin, on Friday.
Beneath is a full transcript of the change between Biden and Stephanopoulos.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: Mr. President, thanks for doing this.
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: Thanks for having me.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: Let’s begin with the talk. eh, You and your group mentioned, have mentioned you had a foul night time. However your–
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: Certain did.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: However your good friend Nancy Pelosi really framed the query that I believe is on the minds of thousands and thousands of Individuals. Was this a foul episode or the signal of a extra critical situation?
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: It was a foul episode. No indication of any critical situation. I used to be exhausted. I did not take heed to my instincts when it comes to making ready and– and a foul night time.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: You understand, you say you have been exhausted. And– and I do know you’ve got mentioned that earlier than as properly, however you came– and you probably did have a tricky month. However you got here house from Europe about 11 or 12 days earlier than the talk, spent six days in Camp David. Why wasn’t that sufficient relaxation time, sufficient restoration time?
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: As a result of I used to be sick. I used to be feeling horrible. Matter of truth, the docs with me. I requested in the event that they did a COVID check as a result of they’re making an attempt to determine what was improper. They did a check to see whether or not or not I had some an infection, , a virus. I did not. I simply had a very dangerous chilly.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: And– did you ever watch the talk afterwards?
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: I do not suppose I did, no.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: Properly, what I am try– what I need to get at is, what have been you experiencing as you have been going by way of the talk? Did you know the way badly it was going?
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: Yeah, look. The entire means I ready, no person’s fault, mine. No person’s fault however mine. I, uh– I ready what I often would do sittin’ down as I did come again with overseas leaders or Nationwide Safety Council for express element. And I noticed–bout partway by way of that, , all– I get quoted the New York Instances had me down, at ten factors earlier than the talk, 9 now, or regardless of the hell it’s. The actual fact of the matter is, what I checked out is that he additionally lied 28 occasions. I could not– I imply, the best way the talk ran, not– my fault, nobody else’s fault, nobody else’s fault.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: But it surely appeared such as you have been having hassle from the primary query in, even earlier than he spoke.
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: Properly, I simply had a foul night time. You’ve got had some dangerous interviews every now and then. I– I can not bear in mind any, however I am certain you probably did.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: I’ve had loads. I assume the query of– the issue is right here for lots of Individuals watching is, you’ve got mentioned going again to 2020, “Watch me,” to people who find themselves involved about your age. And, , 50 million Individuals watched that debate. It appeared to substantiate fears they already had.
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: Properly, look. After that debate, I did ten main occasions in a row, together with till 2:00 within the morning after the talk. I did occasions in North Carolina. I did occasions in-in in Georgia, did occasions like this immediately, massive crowds, overwhelming response, no– no– no slipping. And so, I simply had a foul night time. I do not know why.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: And– how– how rapidly did it– did it come to you that you just have been having that dangerous night time?
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: Properly, it got here to me I used to be havin’ a foul night time once I realized that even once I was answering a query, despite the fact that they turned his mic off, he was nonetheless shouting. And I– I let it distract me. I– I am not blaming it on that, however I noticed that I simply wasn’t in management.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: A part of the opposite concern is that– this appears to suit right into a sample of decline that has been reported on not too long ago. New York Instances had a headline on July 2nd, “Biden’s lapses are mentioned to be more and more frequent and worrisome.” Here is what they wrote.
“Individuals who’ve hung out with President Biden over the previous couple of months or so mentioned the lapses seem to have grown extra frequent, extra pronounced, and after Thursday d– Thursday’s debate, extra worrisome. By many accounts, as evidenced by video footage, statement, and interviews, Mr. Biden will not be the identical immediately as he was even when he took workplace three-and-a-half years in the past.” Related reporting in The Washington Put up and the Wall Road Journal. Are you an identical man immediately that you just have been once you took workplace three-and-a-half years in the past?
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: By way of successes, sure. I additionally was the man who put collectively a peace plan for the Center East which may be comin’ to fruition. I used to be additionally the man that expanded NATO. I used to be additionally the man that grew the economic system. All the person issues that have been achieved have been concepts I had or I fulfilled. I moved on.
And so, for instance, , “We-Properly, that was true then, what’s Biden achieved recently?” Di-you-just simply see immediately, simply introduced 200,000 new jobs. We’re movin’ within the course that nobody’s ever taken on. I do know this from days in– in– in the– within the authorities.
I took on massive pharma. I beat them. Nobody mentioned I may beat them. I took on all of the issues we mentioned we acquired achieved, have been advised we could not get achieved. And a part of it’s what I mentioned once I ran was I wished to do three issues: Restore some decency to the workplace, restore some help for the center class as an alternative of trickle down economics each from the center out and the underside up the best way the rich nonetheless do advantageous, everybody does higher, and unite the nation.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: However what has all that work over the past three-and-a-half years price you bodily, mentally, emotionally?
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: Properly, I– I– I simply suppose it price me a very dangerous night time, dangerous run, however, , I– George. I’ve– I am optimistic about this nation. I do not suppose we’re a rustic of losers that he factors out. I do not suppose America’s in robust form. I believe America is on the cusp of breaking by way of in so many unbelievable alternatives.
On this subsequent time period, I am gonna be sure we gotta– straighten out the tax system. I am gonna be sure we’re in a scenario the place we have now healthcare for all folks, the place we’re ready the place we have– have childcare and eldercare, free up– and all this stuff.
One factor I am proudest of is, bear in mind when my financial plan was put ahead? Quite a lot of the mainstream economists mentioned, “This isn’t gonna work.” Guess what? We now have 16 Nobel laureates, 16 of ’em in economics saying that “Biden’s subsequent time period could be a sig– enor– primarily based on what he desires to do, monumental success.” Trump’s plan would trigger a recession and sig-nif– gi– improve inflation. I’ve made nice progress, and that is what I plan on doin’. And we are able to do that.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: I– I– I perceive that, and I am not disputing that. What I am asking you is– about your private scenario. Do you dispute that there have been extra lapses, particularly within the final a number of months?
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: Can I run the 100 in 10 flat? No. However I am nonetheless in good condition.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: Are you extra frail?
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: No.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: I do know you
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: Come hold my schedule. (LAUGH)
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: I do know you spoke together with your physician after the talk. What did he say?
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: He mentioned he– simply checked out me and mentioned, “You are exhausted.” That is it. I’ve medical docs journey with me in all places. Each President does, as . Medical docs, a number of the finest on this planet journey with me in all places I’m going. I’ve an ongoing evaluation of what I am doin’, they usually do not hesitate to inform me in the event that they suppose there’s one thing improper.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: I do know you mentioned you may have an ongoing evaluation. Have you ever had a full neurological and cognitive analysis?
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: I’ve had– I get a full neurological check on a regular basis with me. And I’ve had a full bodily. I had, , I imply, I– I have been at Walter Reed for my physicals. I mean–uhm sure, the reply.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: I– I do know your physician mentioned he consulted with a neurologist. I– I assume I am asking– a barely totally different query. Have you ever had the precise cognitive assessments, and have you ever had a neurologist, a specialist, do an examination?
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: No. Nobody mentioned I needed to. Nobody mentioned. They mentioned I am good.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: Would you be keen to bear an impartial medical analysis that included neurological and cognit– cognitive assessments and launch the outcomes to the American folks?
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: Look. I’ve a cognitive check each single day. Each day I’ve that check. Every part I do. You understand, not solely am I campaigning, however I am working the world. Not– and that is not hi– feels like hyperbole, however we’re the important nation of the world..
Madeleine Albright was proper. And each single day, for instance, immediately earlier than I got here out right here, I am on the telephone with– with the prime minister of– properly, anyway, I should not get into element, however with Netanyahu. I am on the telephone with the brand new prime minister of England.
I am workin’ on what we have been doin’ with regard to– in Europe with regard to growth of NATO and whether or not it is gonna stick. I am takin’ on Putin. I imply, day-after-day there isn’t any day I’m going by way of there not these selections I’ve to make each single day.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: And you’ve got been doing that and the American folks have been watching, but their considerations about your age and your well being are rising. In order that’s why I am asking — to reassure them, would you be keen to have the impartial medical analysis?
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: Watch me between– there is a lotta time left on this marketing campaign. There’s over 125 days.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: So the answer–
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: They will decide.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: Proper-the reply proper now could be, no, you– you do not need to do this proper now.
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: Properly, I’ve already achieved it.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: You talked loads about your successes in– initially of this interview. And– and I do not need to dispute that, I do not need to debate that. However– as , elections are concerning the future, not the previous. They’re about tomorrow, not yesterday. And the query on so many individuals’s minds proper now could be, “Are you able to serve successfully for the subsequent 4 years?”
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: George. I am the man that put NATO collectively, the longer term. Nobody thought I may increase it. I am the man that shut Putin down. Nobody thought may occur. I am the man that put collectively a South Pacific initiative with AUKUS. I am the man that acquired 50 nations out– not solely in Europe, exterior of Europe as properly to assist Ukraine.
I am the man that acquired Japanese to increase their price range. I am the– so I imply, these– and, for instance, once I determined we used to have 40% of pc chips. We invented the chip, the little chip, the pc chip. It is in all the things from cellular phone to weapons.
And so, we used to have 40%, and we’re all the way down to nearly nothing. So I get within the aircraft, towards the recommendation of everyone, and I fly to South Korea. I persuade them to spend money on the US billions of {dollars}. Now we have now tens of billions of {dollars} being invested in the US making us again ready we’re gonna personal that trade once more. We have now, I imply, I– I just– anyway. I am– I do not wanna take an excessive amount of credit score. I’ve a fantastic employees.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: However maintain on. My– I assume my level is, all that takes a toll. Do you may have the psychological and bodily capability to do it for one more 4 years?
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: I believes so, I would not be runnin’ if I did not suppose I did. Look, I am runnin’ once more as a result of I believe I perceive finest what needs to be achieved to take this nation to a very new new degree. We’re on our means. We’re on our means. And, look. The choice not too long ago made by the Supreme Court docket on immunity, , the subsequent President of the US, it is not nearly whether or not she or he is aware of what they’re doin’.
It is– it’s– it is not– not a few con– a conglomerate of individuals making selections. It is concerning the character of the President. The character of the President’s gonna decide whether or not or not this Structure is employed the suitable means.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: Let me ask you a more durable, extra private query. Are you certain you are being sincere with your self once you say you may have the psychological and bodily capability to serve one other 4 years?
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: Sure, I’m, as a result of, George, the very last thing I need to do will not be have the ability to meet that. I believe, as a few of senior economist and senior overseas coverage specialists say, if I cease now, I might go down in historical past as a reasonably profitable President. Nobody thought I may get achieved what we acquired achieved.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: However are you being with honest– with your self as properly about your capability to defeat Donald Trump proper now?
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: Sure. Sure, sure, sure.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: You say that, and let me problem you.
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: Certain.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: Since you have been shut however behind going into the talk. You are additional behind now by– by any measure. It has been a two-man race for a number of months. Inflation has come down. In these previous few months, he is grow to be a convicted felon. But, you are still falling additional behind.
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: You guys hold saying that. George, do you– look, polling higher than anyone. Do you suppose polling knowledge as correct because it was once?
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: I do not suppose so, however I believe once you have a look at all of the polling knowledge proper now, it reveals that he is actually forward within the in style vote, in all probability much more forward within the battleground states. And one of many different key elements there’s, it reveals that in lots of the battleground states, the Democrats who’re working for Senate and the Home are doing higher than you might be.
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: That is commonplace in some states. I carried an terrible lotta Democrats final time I ran in 2020. Look, I bear in mind them tellin’ me the identical factor in 2020. “I can not win. The polls present I can not win.” Bear in mind 2024– 2020, the pink wave was coming.
Earlier than the vote, I mentioned, “That is not gonna occur. We’re gonna win.” We did higher in an off-year than virtually any incumbent President ever has achieved. They mentioned in 2023, (STATIC) all of the robust (UNINTEL) we’re not gonna win. I went into all these areas and all those– all these districts, and we gained.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: All that’s true, however 2020 was a detailed race. And your approval score has dropped considerably since then. I believe the final ballot I noticed was at about 36%.
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: Woah, woah, woah
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: The variety of Individuals who suppose you are too previous to serve has doubled since 2020. Would not a clear-eyed political calculus inform you that it is gonna be a lot more durable to win in 2024?.
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: Not once you’re working towards a pathological liar. Not when he hadn’t been challenged in a means that he is about to be challenged. Not when people–
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: You’ve got had months to problem him.
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: Oh, certain, I had months, however I used to be additionally doin’ a hell of a variety of different issues, like wars all over the world, like protecting NATO collectively, like working– anyway. However look.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: Do you actually consider you are not behind proper now?
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: I believe it is in– all of the pollsters I speak to inform me it is a tossup. It is a tossup. And once I’m behind, there’s just one ballot I am actually far behind, CBS Ballot and NBC, I imply, excuse me. And– uh–
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: New York– New York Instances and NBC each have– have you ever about six factors behind within the in style vote.
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: That is precisely proper. New York Instances had me behind earlier than, something having to do with this race– had me hind– behind ten factors. Ten factors they’d me behind. Nothing’s modified considerably for the reason that debate within the New York Instances ballot.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: Simply once you have a look at the fact, although, Mr. President, I imply, you gained the favored vote– in– in 2020, nevertheless it was nonetheless lethal shut within the electoral college–
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: By 7 million votes.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: Sure. However you are behind now within the in style vote.
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: I do not– I do not purchase that.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: Is it well worth the threat?
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: I do not suppose anyone’s extra certified to be President or win this race than me.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: You understand, the guts of your case towards Donald Trump is that he is solely out for himself, placing his private pursuits forward of the nationwide curiosity. How do you reply to critics who say that by staying within the race, you are doing the identical factor?
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: Oh, come on. Properly, I do not suppose these critics know what they’re talkin’ about.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: They’re simply improper?
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: They’re simply improper. Look, Trump is a pathological liar. Trump is– he is– you ever seen something Trump did that benefited sa– any person else and never him? You may’t reply, I do know.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: I’ve– I’ve questioned him and his allies as persistently as any journalist has.
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: Oh, I do know you may have. I am not being essential. I am not being essential, however look, I imply, the person is a congenital liar. As I mentioned, they identified in that debate, he lied 27– 28 times– occasions, no matter quantity, over 20 occasions. Discuss how good his economic system was, how he introduced down inflation, how– it is a man who unlike– solely different President oth– apart from him is Hoover who misplaced extra jobs than he created.
It is a man who advised us to place bleach in our arms to take care of COVID, with a million– over 1,000,000 folks died. It is a man who talks about wantin’ to do away with the healthcare provision we put in place. It is a man who desires to present the ability again to massive pharma to have the ability to cost exorbitant costs for medicine. It is a man who desires to undo each single factor I’ve achieved, each single– each single factor.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: I perceive that. I perceive that is why you need to keep within the race, however have you ever satisfied your self that solely you possibly can defeat him?
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: I satisfied myself of two issues. I am probably the most certified particular person to beat him, and I understand how to get issues achieved.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: In case you might be satisfied that you just can not defeat Donald Trump, will you stand down?
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: (LAUGH)- It relies upon on– on if the Lord Almighty comes down and tells me that, I would do this.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: Properly, if– I imply, on a extra sensible degree, The Washington Put up simply reported within the final hour that Senator Mark Warner is– is assembling a gaggle of Senators collectively to try to persuade you to face down, as a result of they do not suppose you possibly can win.
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: Properly, Mark is an effective man. We have by no means had (UNINTEL). He additionally tried to get the nomination too. Mark’s not– Mark and I’ve a special perspective. I respect him.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: And if Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries and Nancy Pelosi come down and say, “We’re fearful that if you happen to keep within the race, we’re gonna lose the Home and the Senate,” how will you reply?
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: I– I might go into element with them. I’ve speaken (PH) to all of them intimately together with Jim Clyburn, each certainly one of ’em. All of them mentioned I ought to keep within the race– keep within the race. Nobody said– not one of the folks mentioned I ought to depart.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: But when they do?
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: Properly, it is, like, (LAUGH) they don’t seem to be gonna do this.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: You are certain?
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: Properly, Yeah, I am certain. Look. I imply, if the Lord Almighty got here down and mentioned, “Joe, get outta the race,” I might get outta the race. The Lord Almighty’s not comin’ down. I imply, these hypotheticals, George, if, I imply, it is all–
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: However– nevertheless it’s– it’s– it is not that hypothetical anymore. I– I– I– I grant that the– they haven’t k– requested a gathering, nevertheless it’s been reported–
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: However they– I met with them. I met with a lotta these folks. I speak with them often. I had an hour dialog with Hakeem. I had extra time (UNITEL)with Jim Clyburn. I hung out with many hours on and off within the final little bit with Chuck Schumer. It isn’t like– I had all of the governors– all of the governors.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: I agree that the Lord Almighty’s not gonna come down, however if– if– in case you are advised reliably out of your allies, from your folks and supporters within the Democratic Occasion within the Home and the Senate that they are involved you are gonna lose the Home and the Senate if you happen to keep in, what’s going to you do?
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: I am not gonna reply that query. It isn’t gonna occur.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: What’s your plan to show the marketing campaign round?
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: You noticed it immediately. What number of– how many individuals draw crowds like I did immediately? Discover me extra enthusiastic than immediately? Huh?
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: I imply, have– I do not suppose you wanna play the gang sport. Donald Trump can draw massive crowds. There is not any query about that.
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: He can draw a giant crowd, however what does he say? Who– who does he have? I am the man supposedly in hassle. We raised $38 million inside 4 days after this. Over– we have now over 1,000,000 particular person contributors, particular person contributors. That– that is lower than 200 bucks. We have now– I imply, I am not seen what you’re– you are proposing.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: You have not seen the– the fall-off within the polls? You have not seen the stories of discontent within the Democratic Occasion, Home Democrats, Senate Democrats?
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: I’ve seen it from the press.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: You understand, I’ve heard from dozens of your supporters over the previous couple of days, and a wide range of views, I grant you that. However the prevailing sentiment is that this. They love you, and they are going to be perpetually grateful to you for defeating Donald Trump in 2020.
They suppose you’ve got achieved a fantastic job as President, a variety of the successes you outlined. However they’re fearful about you and the nation. And so they do not suppose you possibly can win. They need you to go along with grace, and they’re going to cheer you if you happen to do. What do you say to that?
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: I say the overwhelming majority should not the place that– these people are. I do not doubt there are some people there. Have you ever ever seen a group– ta– time when elected officers working for workplace aren’t little fearful? Have you ever ever seen that? I’ve not. Similar factor occurred in 2020. “Oh, Biden, I do not know. Man, what’s he gonna do? He could convey me down, he could (PH).”
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: Mr. President, I’ve by no means seen a President 36% approval get reelected.
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: Properly, I do not consider that is my approval score. That is not what our polls present.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: And if you happen to keep in and Trump is elected and all the things you are warning about involves cross, how will you’re feeling in January?
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: I am going to really feel so long as I gave it my all and I did the goodest job as I do know I can do, that is what that is about. Look, George. Consider it this manner. You’ve got heard me say this earlier than. I believe the US and the world is at an inflection level when the issues that occur within the subsequent a number of years are gonna decide what the subsequent six, seven many years are gonna be like.
And who’s gonna have the ability to maintain NATO collectively like me? Who’s gonna have the ability to be ready the place I can hold the Pacific Basin ready the place we’re– we’re a minimum of checkmating China now? Who’s gonna– who’s gonna do this? Who has that attain? Who has– who is aware of all these pe…? We’re gonna have, I assume a great way to guage me, is you are gonna have now the NATO convention right here in the US subsequent week. Come hear. See what they are saying.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: Mr. President, thanks on your time.
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: Thanks. Respect it.
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