Each word and action of President Joe Biden is now under the watchful gaze of a concerned global audience, particularly following his June debate performance that renewed calls for him to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. His upcoming significant challenge is a solo press conference at the NATO summit on Thursday, marking his first solo press encounter since November. Despite being 81, Biden is expected to field an unspecified number of questions from journalists during an event anticipated to last around 21 minutes, similar to his previous solo press conference.
Preparations for the event, scheduled for 5:30 PM, include strategizing potential questions with the help of the White House, according to a knowledgeable source. Since the June 27 debate, Biden's performance in an ABC News interview further fueled concerns among some Democrats about his capability to defeat Republican contender Donald Trump in the November 5 election or serve another term. However, Biden has successfully navigated various public engagements without incident, including campaign stops across multiple states.
His recent NATO summit speech was well-received, culminating in a carefully executed presentation of the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, easing tensions among fellow Democrats and White House staff. Analysts predict that Biden's every move will be under perpetual scrutiny. Larry Sabato of the University of Virginia's Centre for Politics noted that Biden is in a 'highly unusual' position for a U.S. president, with any significant errors potentially causing turmoil within the Democratic Party.
Despite potential improvements, the momentum to sideline Biden could still intensify. Some Democrats propose that increased public visibility could alleviate concerns. Data from presidential scholar Martha Joynt Kumar indicates that Biden has held fewer press conferences and interviews than his predecessors at similar points in their presidencies. His average of 10.5 press conferences per year contrasts with Trump's 22 and George H.W. Bush's 35.5.
Following Thursday's press conference, Biden's next major interview is scheduled with NBC's Lester Holt. A Democratic strategist emphasized the heightened scrutiny on Biden's every action. His senior aides are focusing on managing his public appearances through key events leading up to the November 5 election. Biden's upcoming speech in Texas could evoke comparisons with President Lyndon Johnson, who withdrew from the 1968 race due to Vietnam War controversies.
As a seasoned politician, Biden has faced criticism for past gaffes and more recent statements, such as pledging military support to Taiwan and labeling Chinese leader Xi Jinping a 'dictator'. The White House and Biden have reduced informal interactions with reporters, with data showing a significant drop in such exchanges this year compared to 2021. The road ahead for Biden includes another debate with Trump on September 10, amidst ongoing electoral pressures.
