Joe Biden recently claimed he could have defeated Donald Trump in the election, a statement that some interpret as an acknowledgment of Kamala Harris’ alleged silent coup.
When USA Today asked Biden if he believed he could have beaten Trump, the president responded, “It’s presumptuous to say that, but I think yes.”
Although Biden’s chances seemed slim—given Trump’s popular vote win and sweep of seven swing states—his comment implies he believed he had a better chance than Vice President Kamala Harris, who replaced him as the Democratic Party’s nominee.
Harris bypassed the primary process to secure her position as the nominee but ultimately lost, despite Biden’s 57% disapproval rating. Biden’s remark suggests he was reluctant to step aside, evoking memories of what some have labeled the “textbook coup d’état” of July 2024.
The President’s Ouster
While mainstream media largely avoided scrutinizing the circumstances of Biden’s withdrawal, polls indicated he was losing ground in both battleground and blue states, according to Politico. This led Democratic Party leaders to push him out.
“Nancy Pelosi dumped him. They all dumped him,” former President Trump claimed in a press call covered by The Federalist. “They said, ‘Either you get out nice or we’re going to go after you.’”
According to the New York Post, top Democrats spent weeks pressuring Biden to step down. One party insider told Politico: “Nancy made clear that they could do this the easy way or the hard way.”
Biden resisted, despite public concerns about his ability to serve another term. When asked by USA Today whether he had the physical strength for four more years, Biden replied, “I don’t know.”
Democratic leaders reportedly used the 25th Amendment as leverage, threatening to remove him unless he ceded the nomination to Harris, according to The New York Post. As The Federalist’s Margot Cleveland noted, while Biden technically qualified under the 25th Amendment, its use in this context was a political maneuver.
“They gave him a chance, and they said, ‘If you don’t get out now, we’re going to go after you,’” Trump reiterated.
Biden’s Subdued Role
Since his withdrawal, Biden has maintained a low profile. However, he and First Lady Jill Biden have made several moves that some interpret as signs of disdain for Harris and her ascent.
During a September 11 visit to Pennsylvania, Biden donned a Trump hat given to him by a resident. “Just remember—no eating dogs and cats,” Biden joked, though his handlers framed the act as a “9/11 unity gesture.”
This was the full interaction between President Biden and a Republican supporter that led to Biden putting on a Trump 2024 hat.pic.twitter.com/I61xDCv1js
— The American Conservative (@amconmag) September 12, 2024
During the election, Jill Biden wore bright red to vote, sparking speculation about whether the Bidens were signaling support for Trump. The same night, President Biden notably skipped Harris’ election watch party.
More recently, Jill Biden appeared to mock Harris during a public event, imitating her speech style and repetition of buzzwords like “joy.”
“I hope that you all feel that sense of, you know, peace and light. And that just for a moment, when you leave here today, I don’t know—that you feel a little sense of joy,” Jill said to laughter, seemingly mocking Harris’ rhetoric.
JILL, ED.D.: "I think we all need to feel joy now during this time." pic.twitter.com/AyOVrw7zZk
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) December 11, 2024
Harris’ team has also reportedly clashed with Biden’s administration, accusing them of insufficient support during her campaign, according to The New York Post.
Lingering Tensions
These incidents suggest continued tension between the Bidens and Harris. Biden’s claim that he could have won against Trump serves as a reminder of the events leading to his exit and the party’s internal strife during this unprecedented transition.
