Joe Biden’s family encouraged him to stay in the 2024 race and discussed potential changes among top aides after his poor debate performance, which has thrown his campaign into turmoil.
Biden’s family, including first lady Jill Biden, son Hunter Biden, and their grandchildren, convened at Camp David for a previously scheduled gathering, where they offered the president their “unequivocal support.” Frustrated with the team that prepared Biden for the debate with Donald Trump, they discussed whether top advisers should be fired, though no major staffing changes seemed imminent.
The family’s support mirrored Jill Biden’s recent public praise for her husband. The gathering came as Biden and his campaign face increasing calls for him to drop out after the CNN presidential debate. Discussions focused on how the family could help Biden, not whether he should reconsider his candidacy.
Biden is collecting data and awaiting broader Democratic campaign polling, anticipating a decline in support across battleground states. Advisers preemptively blamed tough media coverage for any downfall, rather than Biden’s performance.
The shock of the debate is still being processed. The family’s encouragement for Biden to keep fighting could change if his campaign continues to struggle, and if stepping down is seen as a way to avoid harming Democrats this fall. told by Politico.
Family opinion is crucial for Biden’s political future, even more than his close advisers, who are now under scrutiny for their handling of the debate preparation. Florida attorney and Democratic donor John Morgan publicly criticized senior adviser Anita Dunn and her husband, Bob Bauer, calling for their immediate departure.
