Biden's Gaffes Spark Renewed Calls for Retirement Ahead of 2024 Election

President Joe Biden's recent missteps during a press conference have reignited the debate surrounding his fitness for a second term in the White House. As the 81-year-old incumbent prepares to face off against his Republican rival, Donald Trump, in the upcoming 2024 election, a growing chorus of voices, including celebrities and lawmakers, are urging him to reconsider his campaign.

Veteran Politician Faces Mounting Pressure to Step Down

Debate Performance Raises Concerns About Biden's Age and Mental Acuity

Biden's shaky debate performance against Trump last month has fueled further questions about his age and mental acuity. During the televised clash, viewers noted that the president sounded hoarse and lacked energy throughout the night. A Biden aide attributed this to the president battling a cold at the time, while Biden himself blamed his poor execution on failing to "listen" to his staff and instead, deciding "to travel around the world a couple of times" before the debate.

Gaffes at Press Conference Intensify Calls for Biden to Abandon Reelection Bid

The president's recent gaffes during a press conference in Washington, D.C., have only served to intensify calls from both sides of the political aisle for Biden to ditch his reelection efforts ahead of November. Before the press conference, Biden accidentally referred to Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky as "President Putin," before correcting himself. During the event, he also mistakenly referred to Vice President Kamala Harris as "Vice President Trump."

Celebrities and Lawmakers Join the Chorus of Criticism

The blunders have sparked further criticism from celebrities and lawmakers, who have joined the growing chorus of voices urging Biden to step down. Country musician John Rich, a frequent critic of the president, took to social media to highlight Biden's Zelensky gaffe, stating that it was time to "Put a fork in him, he's done."Conservative commentator Tomi Lahren also weighed in on the president's press conference performance, questioning whether the Democrats' "reassurance" was enough to convince voters that Biden is "good to go." At the other end of the political spectrum, former REM singer Michael Stipe shared a message on Instagram, pleading for the president to step down and "pass the torch now."

Lawmakers Privately Urge Biden to End His 2024 Campaign

The pressure on Biden to abandon his reelection bid is not limited to the public sphere. According to reports, there are now at least 17 Democratic members of Congress and senators who have privately asked the president to end his 2024 campaign. Dozens more lawmakers are expected to join the call in the coming days, as the party grapples with the potential consequences of Biden's continued candidacy.

Clooney's Op-Ed Adds Fuel to the Debate

The debate surrounding Biden's future has been further fueled by a recent op-ed written by Hollywood actor George Clooney. In the piece, titled "I Love Joe Biden. But We Need a New Nominee," Clooney expressed his admiration for the president but argued that the party "is not going to win in November with this president." The actor called for new candidates to enter the race ahead of the Democratic National Convention, stating that "the Joe Biden I was with three weeks ago at the fund-raiser was not the Joe 'big F-ing deal' Biden of 2010. He wasn't even the Joe Biden of 2020."

Biden Vows to Remain in the Race Despite Mounting Pressure

Despite the growing pressure, Biden has vowed to remain in the race. In a letter to congressional Democrats, the president stated that "the question of how to move forward has been well-aired for over a week now. And it's time for it to end. I am firmly committed to staying in this race, to running this race to the end, and to beating Donald Trump."As the 2024 election season heats up, the debate surrounding Biden's fitness for office is likely to continue, with both supporters and critics weighing in on the president's future. With the stakes high and the political landscape increasingly polarized, the outcome of this debate could have far-reaching implications for the Democratic Party and the country as a whole.