Arabic version: جيل بايدن تكشف عن مخاوفها بشأن أداء زوجها في المناظرة

Jill Biden expressed her fears regarding President Joe Biden’s health during the 2024 presidential debate, stating she thought he might be having a stroke. In an interview with CBS News, she described her shock at witnessing his faltering performance, saying, “I was frightened, because I had never ever seen Joe like that before or since. Never.” According to BBC News, this sentiment reflects broader concerns among Democrats about the president’s viability as a candidate.

Following the debate against Donald Trump, President Biden faced intense pressure from fellow Democrats to step down as their candidate after a poor debate performance. Ultimately, he decided to drop out and endorsed then-Vice-President Kamala Harris. Jill Biden, who has been a steadfast supporter throughout his political career, was influential in this decision, encouraging him to step aside after the debate.

The debate performance raised significant alarm among Democratic leaders and voters alike, particularly regarding Biden’s health and age, as he was 81 at the time. His campaign initially insisted he would continue as the Democratic nominee, but the fallout from his performance and subsequent health issues led to his withdrawal from the race.

In the aftermath, Kamala Harris assumed the Democratic nomination but ultimately lost to Trump in the election. In her memoir, she described Biden’s decision to run again as potentially reckless, highlighting the intense scrutiny and challenges that surrounded his candidacy.