Biden says he thinks he could have beaten Trump in the 2024 election
NBCJan 08
Biden Says He Could Have Defeated Trump in 2024 Election
story
Above: US Pres. Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at the White House in Washington, DC, on Jan. 8, 2025. Image copyright: Anna Rose Layden/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty images
The Facts
US Pres. Joe Biden said Wednesday that he would have defeated Donald Trump in the November election if he'd carried on as the Democratic candidate. However, the 82-year-old also said that, given his age, he wasn't sure how he would have fared in a prospective second term.
Citing polling data he claimed to have seen, Biden said of his chances of winning: "it's presumptuous to say [...] but I think [I would have won]." He added that Trump was "very complimentary about some of the economic things" Biden had done.
The Spin
Left narrative
Joe Biden's instincts about his own electability are absolutely justified. He maintained stronger support among the crucial demographics that ultimately swung the election, particularly union voters and men. The Teamsters' data showed Biden significantly outperforming Harris against Trump, and his established political identity and authenticity resonated with voters in ways Harris couldn't match in her brief 107-day campaign.
Right narrative
The evidence strongly contradicts Pres. Biden's belief that he could have defeated Trump in 2024. YouGov polling just before the election showed Biden trailing Trump by seven points while Harris led by three, with Biden underperforming across every demographic group, including men, women, Hispanics, and independents. His unfavorable ratings remained consistently lower than Harris's and there's no doubt he would have performed worse had he continued in the election.
