Former presidential candidate and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has branded Joe Biden’s decision to run for a second term as a “terrible mistake” that she says cost Democrats the 2024 presidential election and gave Donald Trump the White House.
“He made a terrible mistake,” Clinton said in a recent interview that CBS News shared on Tuesday, June 16. “He made a terrible mistake for himself, his legacy, and for the country.”
Why Clinton Believes Democrats Lost the White House
Clinton argued that Biden should have stepped aside earlier and allowed a competitive primary to choose the party’s nominee.
“We would have had a real contest,” Clinton said. “And very sadly I believe whoever emerged from that contest, whether it was the vice president or a governor or a senator or anybody else, would have beaten Donald Trump. So I think it was a terrible miscalculation on the part of President Biden.”
Biden entered the 2024 race as the incumbent, despite questions about his age and fitness that became louder as the campaign progressed.
Biden’s 2024 Campaign Faced Mounting Questions
He was 81 when he announced his bid, which left many Democrats worried privately that he would struggle against Trump, who returned to the Republican ticket after winning the 2016 election and losing to Biden in 2020.
Those concerns boiled over after Biden’s shaky performance in the first presidential debate against Trump in June 2024.
The former president appeared unsteady at times, struggled with his words, and drew widespread criticism even from within his own party.
Debate Performance Triggered Democratic Revolt
House Democrats openly called for him to drop out, citing public worries about his ability to serve another four years.
Weeks later, Biden ended his campaign and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the new Democratic nominee.
Harris launched her campaign on short notice, but she could not overcome the headwinds. Trump won the election and returned to the presidency.
Clinton, who lost to Trump in 2016, suggested Biden’s choice disrupted what could have been a stronger path for the party.
She pointed to his earlier comments about serving as a bridge to the next generation of leaders. Instead, she said, he held on, leaving Democrats in a difficult spot.
Also Read: How Jeffrey Epstein Planned to Take Down Trump Before His Suicide
The Democratic National Committee issued its 2024 election autopsy in May, a report of the party’s losses, but the report didn’t directly address Biden’s decision to run again at age 81.
Just like Clinton’s comments, many Democrats continue to sort through the reasons for their defeat.
Some party members have blamed Harris’s campaign strategy; others point to economic concerns and border issues that helped Trump connect with voters.
Unlike most Democrats, Clinton placed much of the responsibility on the choice to stick with Biden from the start.
Biden’s inner circle had long maintained that he was mentally sharp and physically fit, dismissing questions about his age as Republican attacks.
Also Read: Hillary Clinton Email Case Returns as Comey Defends Pre-Election FBI Move
Clinton herself ran for president twice, earning the popular vote in 2016 but falling short in the Electoral College.
Some Democrats believe she would have done better than Kamala if she had confronted Trump again.
Trump’s 2024 win was a major comeback, as he was the first president since Grover Cleveland to have non-consecutive terms.
How Trump Mounted a Historic Political Comeback
His campaign focused on economic strength, immigration control, and a promise to roll back many of Biden’s policies.
He also promised to end wars and focus on the America First slogan, a promise that a section of Americans, including Conservative Republicans, believe he has, so far, failed to keep, especially after the U.S. entered into conflict with Iran.
The Iran-U.S. conflict is coming to an end after the recent signing of an MOU between the two nations, but its impact could take time to fade.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
