President Biden’s Surprising Admission
President Joe Biden, in a candid conversation with Democratic donors on Tuesday, expressed uncertainty about seeking re-election if his predecessor, Donald Trump, was not in the running. This frank admission, made during a fundraiser at a private residence near Boston, provides the most explicit insight yet into Biden’s re-election thought process. The revelation reportedly caught senior Biden campaign officials and advisors off guard.
Immediate Reactions and Clarifications
Upon learning of the President’s comments, one senior campaign advisor responded with a surprised “Yikes.” However, the campaign was quick to downplay the President’s remark, emphasizing that Biden has always viewed Trump as a unique threat to the nation. They pointed out that Biden had expressed similar sentiments during his 2020 campaign. When asked later if he would still run if Trump wasn’t, Biden seemed to retract his earlier statement, telling reporters at the White House, “I expect so, but look — he is running, and I have to run.”
Fundraising Efforts and Direct Confrontation
The President’s comment came as he embarked on a fundraising drive ahead of an anticipated costly re-election race. Biden is expected to raise over $15 million in five days through high-dollar fundraisers and grassroots efforts. He directly addressed Trump during the first of these fundraisers, warning that his predecessor is openly revealing his intentions. Biden also referenced Trump’s recent focus on dismantling the Affordable Care Act and his controversial “vermin” remark.
Upcoming Events and Campaign Strategy
Biden is set to headline seven events between now and Monday, with more planned later this month. Democratic officials are preparing for what some believe could be a billion-dollar campaign. The President also commented on the recent breakdown of hostage negotiations between Israel and Hamas, calling for a strong condemnation of what he termed “the sexual violence of Hamas terrorists.”
Record-Breaking Ad Spending
Biden’s re-election effort has set a record for off-year ad spending by an incumbent, with over $45 million spent on pro-Biden advertising since the start of 2023. This significant early investment has targeted key media markets in battleground states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona, Georgia, and Nevada. The campaign has also begun staffing up in key early voting states, signaling a focus on health care in its messaging.
Looking Ahead
Despite the campaign’s current lean operation, officials say this is a deliberate strategy to conserve resources for the coming year. As the end of the month reporting deadline approaches, the President is making a final push for cash, with a pair of Hollywood fundraisers scheduled for this weekend.
This story has been updated with additional developments. CNN’s Donald Judd, MJ Lee and Arlette Saenz contributed to this report.