In a statement made on Sunday, ex-president and Republican candidate, Donald Trump, claimed that if the forthcoming November election sees him pitted against Vice President Kamala Harris, victory is more likely for him than if he faced present incumbent, Joe Biden. The claim came in light of Biden’s announcement earlier that day that he was withdrawing his candidacy.
The former Republican leader made these comments shortly afterwards during a CNN interview. He also employed social media to critique Biden, citing his unfitness for presidential duties.
Democrats’ dwindling confidence in Biden’s mental sharpness and his ability to overcome Trump led to the conclusion of his campaign that Sunday. Harris received his endorsement as successor for the party’s candidacy.
Biden’s re-election prospects had been under scrutiny following an unsteady showing during a recent TV debate versus Trump. Trump, utilising his Truth Social platform, claimed that Biden was unsuited for both candidacy and continued presidency.
Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House of Representatives, was among other key Republicans echoing this, calling explicitly on Biden to resign if he was no longer to be the Democratic presidential candidate.
Trump predicted a bleak future under Biden’s presidency but expressed optimism for a rapid recovery via a post on Truth Social, saying, “We will suffer greatly because of his [Biden’s] presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly.”
Opinion polls had shown Trump and Biden neck and neck, but post-debate, saw Trump edging slightly ahead. The Trump campaign, considering Biden’s possible withdrawal, was strategising on redirection of resources, an insider revealed on Sunday.
They also suggested that any substitute Democratic candidate would likely offer a different set of strengths and weaknesses to Biden, necessitating an adjustment in advertisement spending and resource allocation.
Publicly, Trump’s campaign team haven’t expressed concern at the prospect of facing Harris in the elections. They intend to connect her with Biden’s controversial term, particularly relating to immigration and inflation. The aim, it seems, would be to depict Harris, or indeed any other potential candidate, as more left-wing than Biden in terms of policy.
Donald Trump Jr, the eldest son of Mr Trump, stated on social media that Ms Harris has fully embraced the entire leftwing policy history of Joe Biden, following the latter’s withdrawal from the scene. – Reuters