President Joe Biden made a significant revelation on Tuesday during a fundraiser with Democratic donors, expressing uncertainty about seeking another term if his predecessor, Donald Trump, wasn’t running for the White House. This candid assessment of his reelection rationale comes as he prepares for a likely rematch with his 2020 rival.
Biden stated, “If Trump wasn’t running, I’m not sure I’d be running,” underlining the crucial role he perceives Trump’s candidacy plays in his own decision. He emphasized the importance for Democrats to prevent Trump from winning again, framing the upcoming election as a pivotal moment.
The comment, delivered at a private home outside Boston, stands out as one of the most straightforward rationales for Biden’s reelection decision-making. According to sources familiar with the matter, this statement took senior Biden campaign officials and advisers by surprise, prompting one top campaign adviser to respond with a surprised “Yikes.”
The campaign, in an attempt to downplay the significance of the president’s remark, characterized it as a “nothing-to-see-here” moment. They pointed out that Biden has consistently portrayed Trump as a unique threat to the country, emphasizing his decision to run in 2020 as a response to Trump’s controversial comments after the Charlottesville incident.
Delaware Sen. Chris Coons, a national co-chair of Biden’s 2024 campaign, defended the president’s stance, stating, “President Biden beat Trump before and he will do it again.” This suggests a strategic framing of Biden’s decision as a response to the perceived threat posed by Trump to the nation’s democracy.
Biden himself seemed to backtrack on the initial comment when questioned later on Tuesday about whether he would still run if Trump weren’t in the race. He told reporters at the White House, “I expect so, but look — he is running, and I have to run.”
The revelation unfolded as Biden embarked on a fundraising sprint ahead of an anticipated costly reelection race. The campaign aims to raise over $15 million within five days through a combination of high-dollar fundraisers and grassroots efforts. The president headlined three fundraisers in the Boston area on Tuesday, initiating a series of events scheduled through the week and later in the month.
In these fundraising events, Biden directly addressed Trump’s actions and policies. He warned donors that Trump is openly declaring his intentions and highlighted the former president’s recent focus on terminating the Affordable Care Act. Biden also referenced Trump’s divisive rhetoric, specifically the “vermin” remark directed at certain political groups, expressing a critical view of the former president’s approach.
Singer-songwriter James Taylor headlined one of the fundraising events in Boston’s Theater District, with tickets for “You’ve Got a Friend in Joe” ranging from $50 to $7,500. Other events in the area were expected to contribute significantly to Biden’s campaign war chest.
The president also touched on international issues, discussing the breakdown of hostage negotiations between Israel and Hamas and condemning what he called “the sexual violence of Hamas terrorists.” This demonstrates the multifaceted nature of the topics addressed during the fundraising events.
Biden’s final push for cash before the end-of-month reporting deadline includes plans to be in Los Angeles for Hollywood fundraisers. Notable figures such as Stephen Spielberg, Shonda Rhimes, and Rob Reiner are expected to add star power to one of the events.
Despite raising a solid $71 million in the last quarter for his reelection, Biden and Democrats face the challenge of surpassing the fundraising figures of his potential Republican rivals. While the campaign reports an increase in the pace of fundraising, there is acknowledgment that November marked the biggest month for grassroots donations since the announcement of Biden’s reelection.
The campaign’s substantial early investment in advertising, exceeding $45 million, stands as a record for off-year ad spending by an incumbent. This includes contributions from various groups supporting Biden’s reelection, such as his campaign, allied committees, joint fundraising committees, super PACs, and smaller groups.
The focus of early advertising has been on key media markets in battleground states, reflecting a strategic approach to target areas critical for electoral success. The campaign has concentrated on major markets like Atlanta, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Detroit, channeling significant resources into pro-Biden ad campaigns.
Biden’s messaging has also emphasized healthcare, with ads critiquing the Trump administration’s healthcare policies and highlighting efforts to lower prescription drug costs. The campaign’s investment in advertising, coupled with a focus on critical issues, aims to shape public perception and build a compelling case for the president’s reelection.
As the campaign moves forward, Biden has begun staffing up in key early voting states, appointing a state director in South Carolina. This move signals an early test of Biden’s support among Black voters, a crucial demographic for Democratic candidates.
While the campaign has been relatively bare-bones to this point, officials assert that this intentional approach aims to preserve resources for the upcoming election year. The combination of fundraising efforts, targeted advertising, and strategic staffing reflects the multifaceted approach the Biden campaign is taking as it navigates the complex landscape of reelection.
