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Joe Biden is speaking at his first press conference in eight months, in a high-stakes appearance at the Nato Summit in Washington as he attempts to claw back support from skeptical members of the Democratic party.
The address is being seen by some as a make-or-break moment for Biden, and comes as the president attempts to play down concerns about his age and capabilities following his disastrous presidential debate against Donald Trump last month.
So far 14 members of Congress have publicly called for him to step aside in favor of a younger candidate for the 2024 election.
Politico reports that another half-a-dozen lawmakers could go public if Biden underperforms this evening, while Axios says he could face a “deluge” of calls urging him to drop out regardless of his performance. Many Americans appear to agree.
Moments before the news conference, Biden made yet another serious gaffe, introducing Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky onstage at the Nato Summit as “president Putin”.
The president caught his mistake quickly, telling crowds that “we’re going to beat president Putin”, but not before people in the room called out the correction. “I’m so focused on beating Putin,” he said.
Biden begins high-stakes press conference at Nato summit
Joe Biden is speaking in his first press conference in eight months, in a high-stakes appearance at the Nato Summit in Washington as he attempts to claw back support from skeptical members of the Democratic party.
The address is being seen by some as make-or-break, and comes as the president continues to attempt to play down concerns about his age and capability, following his disastrous presidential debate against Donald Trump last month.
Biden was scheduled to begin at 6.30pm eastern, but the president did not take to the stage until around an hour later.
Moments before the news conference, Biden made yet another serious gaffe, introducing Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky onstage at the Nato Summit as “president Putin”.
Mike Bedigan12 July 2024 00:28
World waits for Biden. Trump posts about his shoes.
Mike Bedigan12 July 2024 00:21
How to watch president Biden’s high stakes press conference
You can watch live coverage of Joe Biden’s high stakes press conference here:
Mike Bedigan12 July 2024 00:11
Biden press conference delayed by over 30 minutes
President Joe Biden’s high stakes press conference has been delayed by over 30 minutes.
The address at the Nato Summit on Thursday evening was originally scheduled to start at 6.30pm eastern.
By 7.07pm the president had still not appeared. The reason for the delay was not immediately clear.
Mike Bedigan12 July 2024 00:08
Watch: Biden mistakenly calls Zelensky ‘Putin’ while introducing him at NATO summit
Biden mistakenly calls Zelensky ‘Putin’ while introducing him at NATO summit
In a major slip on stage at the NATO summit in Washington, DC, President Joe Biden called Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky “President Putin” while introducing him. Biden quickly recognized his mistake, returning to the podium to correct himself, “President Putin? He’s going to beat President Putin. President Zelensky. I’m so focused on beating Putin.” After turning it over the the Ukrainian president, Zelensky said, “I’m better,” in response to the slip. “You’re a hell of a lot better,” said President Biden.
Mike Bedigan12 July 2024 00:00
Obama adviser claims Biden trying to ‘run out the clock’ so it’s too late to change the nominee
Oliver O’Connell11 July 2024 23:20
Full story: Biden introduces Ukrainian leader Zelensky as Putin in latest gaffe
Oliver O’Connell11 July 2024 23:14
Which Senator publicly called for Biden to step aside
In an op-ed, published on Wednesday in the Washington Post, Welch said that “valid questions” raised following the president’s diastrous debate performance could not be “ignored or dismissed.”
He will doubtless be watching closely tonight.
Mike Bedigan11 July 2024 23:10