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First Lady's alarm during presidential debate
Jill Biden revealed she believed her husband, President Joe Biden, might have suffered a stroke while watching his faltering performance in the 2024 presidential debate against Donald Trump.
"I was frightened, because I had never ever seen Joe like that before or since. Never. As I watched it, I thought, 'Oh, my God, he's having a stroke.' And it scared me to death."
Jill Biden, CBS News interview
Debate fallout and Democratic pressure
The June 2024 debate sparked immediate concern among Democrats, who questioned Biden's ability to continue his reelection campaign. Despite initial assurances from his team that he would remain the party's nominee, mounting unease over his shaky delivery-including a raspy voice and moments of apparent confusion-intensified calls for him to withdraw.
Biden's campaign initially dismissed speculation about his health, attributing his hoarse voice to illness and insisting he would debate Trump again. However, behind the scenes, party leaders and donors grew increasingly vocal about their doubts.
Public praise, private doubts
At a post-debate rally in Atlanta, Jill Biden publicly defended her husband, telling the crowd, "Joe, you did such a great job. You answered every question. You knew all the facts." Yet privately, even Vice President Kamala Harris-who rarely criticized Biden-acknowledged the debate had gotten off to a "slow start."
Voters' long-standing concerns about Biden's age (81 at the time) and mental sharpness were amplified by the debate, fueling media scrutiny over his fitness for office and his odds in the November election.
Path to withdrawal
Though replacing an incumbent nominee months before an election was considered politically risky, Biden's struggles extended beyond the debate. Subsequent gaffes during a NATO summit and a frail appearance following a COVID-19 diagnosis further eroded confidence. In July 2024, he ended his campaign and endorsed Harris as the Democratic nominee.
Harris, who ultimately lost the election to Trump, later criticized Biden's decision to seek a second term in her memoir, calling it "recklessness." She reflected on the party's collective hesitation to challenge his candidacy, writing, "'It's Joe and Jill's decision.' We all said that, like a mantra, as if we'd all been hypnotized."
Jill Biden's role in the presidency
A steadfast partner throughout Biden's political career-from his Senate years to the White House-Jill Biden was regarded as one of his most trusted advisers. She was among those who eventually urged him to step aside in 2024, prioritizing the party's electoral prospects over his personal ambitions.
The CBS News interview with Rita Braver, where Jill Biden shared her fears, is set to air on Sunday.
