
During a prime-time interview on Fox News’ “Hannity” Monday night, former President Donald Trump stated that he doesn’t foresee President Biden exiting the 2024 race due to his “ego.”
“I think he might very well stay in, and if he doesn’t – nobody wants to give up that way – he’s going to feel badly about himself for a long time,” Trump, 78, said.
“He’s got an ego and doesn’t want to quit. I think Jill would like to see him stay, she’s having a good time. I’m hearing Hunter is calling the shots,” he mused.
Trump further speculated that Biden’s reluctance to step down is influenced by external pressures.
“It’s hard to give it up that way the way they’re trying to force him out,” the former president said, referring to the increasing calls from Democratic supporters for Biden, 81, to withdraw.
In his first interview since the debate with Biden last month, Trump spoke to host Sean Hannity in a wide-ranging 18-minute phone conversation. Hannity inquired about Trump’s perspective on Biden’s widely criticized performance in the June 27 debate.
“Within minutes I could tell this was not going to be a good night for Joe Biden,” Trump said, noting Biden’s “extremely pale” appearance on stage in Atlanta.
“He was a very pale man, to put it nicely. I don’t know, maybe it was a good makeup job, maybe it wasn’t a good makeup job.”
Trump’s critique of Biden’s debate performance continued, focusing on his delivery.
“When he started to speak I thought his voice was weak, I didn’t know exactly what was happening. It was strange,” he said, describing Biden as going “a little haywire.”
Regarding Biden’s statements during the debate, Trump commented, “They weren’t even answers, they were just words put together that made no meaning or sense.”
Since the debate, Biden’s cognitive abilities have faced increasing scrutiny, exacerbated by a series of subsequent public appearances where he appeared incoherent or confused.
Hannity also asked Trump about Vice President Kamala Harris, whose name has been suggested as a potential successor should Biden withdraw from the race.
“Well I think that it will be her,” Trump said, considering the possibility of Harris replacing Biden as the top candidate.
He remarked that the Democrats are “gun shy” about selecting anyone other than Harris.
“They don’t want to do it any other way.”
Addressing the media’s recent shift in acknowledging Biden’s declining faculties, Trump remarked, “it’s getting difficult to cover for him.”
When Hannity directly asked if Trump wanted Biden to step aside, Trump replied, “we’ve prepared for him, but I don’t think it’s going to matter.”
The interview concluded with Hannity asking Trump about his timeline for announcing a running mate, mentioning potential candidates like Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum.
Trump indicated that the names mentioned are “absolutely under consideration,” adding, “I haven’t made a final decision but I have some ideas as to where we’re going.”
He hinted that an announcement might come “probably within the next week” and could coincide with the upcoming Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisc., starting July 15.
“We’ll be announcing soon and I think everybody’s going to be very happy. The choice will be very good. Meaning, a person who can do a fantastic job as president — you always have to think about that first — and second, somebody who’s going to help you get elected, and there’s nothing wrong with that.”
{Matzav.com}