White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre staunchly defended President Biden’s capabilities amid growing concerns about his age on Monday, which marked his 81st birthday. When questioned about former Obama adviser David Axelrod’s suggestion that Biden consider withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race due to his age, Jean-Pierre asserted the president’s stamina, wisdom, and ability to deliver for the American people.
Axelrod, who cited a recent poll showing Biden trailing former President Donald Trump in battleground states, reiterated his concerns about Biden’s age earlier in the day, even after reportedly receiving a dismissive comment from the president. According to Axelrod, Biden referred to him as “a prick,” but the former adviser emphasized the importance of the polls and the stakes involved in the upcoming election.
Jean-Pierre, however, maintained that there was no cause for alarm within the White House regarding concerns about Biden’s age. She declined to comment on individual opinions, including Axelrod’s, stating that it wasn’t her role to dictate public opinion.
The press secretary shifted the focus from age to experience, asserting that the White House believes judgments about the president should be based on his substantial political background. Jean-Pierre highlighted Biden’s success in passing bipartisan legislation, claiming that he has outperformed other recent presidents in this regard.
In conclusion, the White House is pushing back against the narrative that age is a significant factor affecting Biden’s presidency. Instead, they argue that his extensive political experience and accomplishments should be the basis for evaluating his effectiveness.
KJP responds to David Axelrod’s criticism of Biden’s age and stamina:
“There’s no alarm happening behind the scenes”
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) November 20, 2023
White House Spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre says there is “no alarm behind the scenes” when a reporter questioned her about prominent Democrat fundraiser David Axelrod’s comments about his concerns over President #Biden‘s age to the NY Timeshttps://t.co/Ij3JDrQHxV #election2024 pic.twitter.com/JW2zfenYdd
— NTD News (@NTDNews) November 20, 2023