(LONDON) — Every summer, a total of 256 men and women — a group of the best tennis player’s this world has to offer — make their way to the London postcode of SW19 and onto the courts of Wimbledon to battle it out in an attempt to be the last person standing and a potential claim to be the best in the world at the sport.
The prize? A few moments on the world stage with Gentlemen’s Singles Challenge Cup for the winning man or the Ladies’ Singles Challenge Plate — more commonly known at the Venus Rosewater Dish — something only a few dozen people in the world have ever done in the history of the 157-year-old tournament.
“I think why these trophies are so iconic and special is because they are so consistent, truly historic, and I think they really sort of parallel what Wimbledon is about,” Eleanor Thomas, the Collections Manager at the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum, told ABC News during a visit during the middle Sunday of the 2024 Championships. “They have remained true to Wimbledon’s roots since the beginning.”
The Gentleman’s Singles Trophy, officially known as the Challenge Cup, is perhaps the most storied prize in all of tennis.
“This trophy has a history that dates back to 1887, crafted by Elkington & Co. in Birmingham,” explains Thomas, who added that the company’s expertise in metalwork at that time made them a perfect choice for crafting a trophy meant to symbolize excellence and perseverance in tennis.
Before Wimbledon formally started in 1877, the winners of the Championships received a trophy known as the Field Cup. It was agreed back then that anyone who won The Championships three years in a row should keep the trophy. William Renshaw managed this from 1881 to 1883 — so he kept it and a new trophy had to be made. The Field Cup was subsequently replaced with a new Challenge Cup but William Renshaw won three times in a row – again — from 1884 to 1886 and kept this too.
It was then that the club decided to create a “perpetual” trophy in 1887 and the Challenge Cup, which is the current iteration of the men’s singles trophy, was introduced with the intent to last indefinitely.
It has since carried the names of every single champion dating back to the first Wimbledon tournament in 1877 until 2009, when they officially ran out of space for any more engravings.
“We ran out of space on the trophy for all the winners,” Thomas laughed as she explained the dilemma. “So it was decided that adding a plinth to the existing trophy was the best way of preserving all those names and that has been arguably the biggest change to the trophy since its inception.”
One of the more distinctive features of the Gentleman’s Singles Trophy is the fact that there is a pineapple adorning the very top of it.
“So the pineapple, to be honest, we don’t actually have an exact reason as to why it’s there,” Thomas told ABC News. “The pineapple was a symbol of luxury and hospitality in the Victorian era, something only the wealthy could afford. Historically, it was a popular motif at the time, but it doesn’t really have anything to do with Wimbledon or tennis. It does now, obviously.”
The Gentleman’s Singles Trophy stands in stark contrast to what the women receive when they win the Wimbledon women’s singles title — the Venus Rosewater Dish.
“Unlike the men’s trophy, the Venus Rosewater Dish reflects a tradition of awarding more decorative prizes to women,” Thomas explains. “Early women’s prizes included flower baskets and bracelets, but the dish has since transcended these to become a symbol of achievement in its own right.”
Introduced in 1886, the dish’s design draws heavily on Renaissance art and features a central figure of Temperance surrounded by representations of the four elements — air, water, earth, and fire. The outer rim is adorned with plaques representing the Seven Liberal Arts – grammar, logic, rhetoric, music, arithmetic, geometry and astrology — each overseen by the goddess Minerva, the intricate iconography intended to showcase the intellectual and artistic aspirations of the late 19th century.
Champions’ names have been engraved on the dish since its inception, initially on the front but moving to the back when the trophy ran out of room and, much like the men’s trophy in 2009, the names are now engraved on a plinth that was added in 2016 once the trophy ran out of space on the back.
However, just like the gentleman’s singles trophy, winners do not actually get to take the original home, or even a full-sized replica. They spend time with the award on the court after the tournament when they celebrate and at the Wimbledon champions’ dinner on the last night. That’s it.
What winners will receive, however, is a three-quarter-sized replica, meticulously engraved with their names on it, exactly like the real thing only smaller.
The engravings — both on the replicas and the real trophy — are almost instantaneous, something Wimbledon does deliberately and takes a great amount of pride in. Thomas, along with her colleague, Malin Lundin, oversees this meticulous process.
“We manage about 84 engravings during the championships, including the main trophies and the replicas given to the players,” said Thomas.
The second the winning point is scored, a team of expert engravers gets right down to work so that the trophies are ready for the victors almost immediately. This doesn’t just happen for the men’s and women’s singles champions, the practice extends to include every single winner in each of the events held at Wimbledon, including doubles, mixed doubles, and wheelchair events, ensuring that every winner’s achievement is immortalized from the moment of victory.
Once the trophies are handed out and then given back to the All England Club in exchange for their replicas, Thomas will turn to her work of preserving these historical artifacts through rigorous conservation efforts.
“We have a dedicated team of conservators who clean and polish the trophies annually. This ensures they remain in pristine condition despite their age and the wear from being handled by champions,” Thomas explained, adding that these trophies not only honor the achievements of the world’s best players, but also serve as a reminder of Wimbledon’s unwavering commitment to its heritage.
As the final ball is struck and The Championships come to a close for another year, Wimbledon’s trophies are deliberately designed to endure for decades and centuries to come, the iconic awards meticulously preserved, intricately engraved and always embodying the rich history and traditions of The Championships.
“These are probably some of the most famous trophies in the world,” said Thomas. “It’s a big deal.”
(BUTLER, Pa.) — Former President Donald Trump says he was shot in the ear after a gunman perched on the roof of a nearby building opened fire at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday — a harrowing incident that the FBI called an assassination attempt.
The shooting, which set the country on edge on the eve of the Republican National Convention, left one spectator dead, two others critically injured, and sparked chaos at the event. As the former president spoke, shots crackled and Trump, hand to his ear, dropped to the ground where he was surrounded by agents before behind hustled off the stage into a waiting car amid the screams and confusion of the crowd.
The shooting, which is being investigated by the FBI overseen by the Justice Department’s National Security Division, as well as the U.S. attorney’s office in Pittsburgh, comes amid a heightened threat environment.
The Secret Service, in a statement, said that a shooter “fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue” after which agents “neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased.”
The shooter fired as many as eight rounds from an AR-style rifle while perched on a rooftop adjacent to the venue and was 200-300 yards away at the time of the shooting, law enforcement sources told ABC News.
It was “surprising” that the suspected gunman was able to get off as many shots as he allegedly did, law enforcement said, adding that the gunman was a “very determined attacker.”
One spectator was killed and two others critically injured, the Secret Service said in a statement. All were adult men, Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens said during a press conference. The shots fired were “scattered” and the injured and dead had been spread through the crowd, he said.
The FBI early on Sunday identified the suspected gunman as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. The FBI had earlier said they believed they had identified the shooter, but were not releasing his name during the sensitive first steps in the investigation, according to a law enforcement source. The early indication was that the shooter was a lone wolf, but the situation was fluid, the source said.
FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Kevin Rojek earlier had said the agency was trying to assess the motive for the shooting and to confirm the gunman’s identity. “It’s a matter of doing biometric confirmations, so there was no identification on the individual for example so we’re looking at photographs right now and we’re trying to run his DNA and get biometric confirmation.”
There appeared to be blood on Trump’s right ear as he was being taken off stage, and he could be seen mouthing “fight” and pumping his fist.
Bivens described a “chaotic scene” where law enforcement acted “heroically.” Bivens said officials were following up on reports about suspicious occurrences that they received prior to the shooting.
‘Something was wrong,’ Trump says
A spokesperson for Trump said in a statement, “President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act. He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility.” Later in the evening, he was released and left the Butler area under Secret Service protection, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro wrote on X.
In a statement on Truth Social posted hours after the shooting, Trump said he “was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear.”
“I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening,” he wrote in the post, which expressed condolences to the family of the rallygoer who was killed.
“It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country,” he added. Trump’s campaign says he still plans to attend the RNC.
Outpouring of support
The incident sent shockwaves throughout the political world and sparked condemnation from both sides of the aisle as well as an outpouring of support.
President Joe Biden called the incident “sick” and said “there’s no place in America for this kind of violence.”
“We cannot be like this. We cannot condone this.” Biden spoke to Trump in the wake of the shooting.
And Vice President Kamala Harris said she was “relieved he is not seriously injured.”
“Violence such as this has no place in our nation,” he added. “We must all condemn this abhorrent act and do our part to ensure that it does not lead to more violence.”
Donald Trump Jr., told ABC News he has spoken to his father, who remains at the hospital. He said his father is “in good spirits” as he remains under observation, adding that his father is “never gonna stop.”
“This is the fighter America needs!” Trump’s son Eric wrote in a post on X with a photo of his father’s fist raised in the air attached.
And Trump’s daughter Ivanka, called the shooting “senseless” and wrote “I love you Dad” on X.
Former Vice President Mike Pence said on X that he was “praying for President Trump and urge every American to join us.”
In a statement, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro said “We condemn this violence in the strongest possible terms and commend the Secret Service for their swift action today.”
Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, who is on the short list for Trump’s potential running mate, placed blame for the incident, without elaborating or citing evidence, on President Biden.
“Today is not just some isolated incident,” Vance wrote on X. “The central premise of the Biden campaign is that President Donald Trump is an authoritarian fascist who must be stopped at all costs. That rhetoric led directly to President Trump’s attempted assassination.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson vowed a “FULL INVESTIGATION OF THE TRAGIC EVENTS TODAY” in a statement on X.
‘People started to panic’
Trump was talking to the crowd about immigration when pops could be heard and chaos broke out. The former president could be seen grasping his ear before going down to the ground and being swarmed and shielded by Secret Service agents.
Dave McCormick, who’s running for U.S. Senate, told ABC News he was in the front row of the rally. He said he heard “seven or eight” shots fired.
“People started to panic,” he said. “Everyone dropped to the ground.”
Witness Leonard Verdetto said everyone at the rally had been “joyful” but then he heard “popping sounds,” describing 6-8 shots fired.
“None of us really registered at the time that all these people were saying ‘get down!’ ‘get down!'”
“We were all praying…We were praying to him to keep us safe, keep us protected.”
Another witness, a speaker at the event, Rico Elmore, said he was about 20 feet away from Trump at the time. He said at first he thought the shots were “fireworks.”
“I turned around, and someone yelled ‘medic.” Then he took his tie off and sprang into action, realizing there was not time for a medic to get there, but by the time he got there, he said, it was too late. “The person…was bleeding out through their head.”
He said “I tried to block the wound” by holding a towel against it until the medical team arrived.
“I just saw the bullets hitting the stands, bouncing up,” witness John Dohanich added. He said there was an initial volley of shots, followed by a pause, and then the rest of the shots.
“I’m hearing everyone screaming ‘get down!’ ‘get down’,” and he said he tried to help people get down. “I told them just to keep praying, keep calm.”
In the wake of the incident, Trump, with blood on his ear and the side of his face, was then led off the stage quickly, pumping his fist on stage and also as he was helped into a vehicle to be taken away.
Heavily armed security personnel got on stage as he was led off.
“An incident occurred the evening of July 13 at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania,” the Secret Service said in a statement. “The Secret Service has implemented protective measures and the former President is safe. This is now an active Secret Service investigation and further information will be released when available.”
The White House said in a statement, “The President has received an initial briefing on the incident at Former President Trump’s rally.”
Violence ‘absolutely unacceptable’
“Violence targeted at any political party or political leader is absolutely unacceptable,” Pennsylvania Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro said in a statement. “It has no place in Pennsylvania or the United States.”
Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, a possible vice president pick, wrote on social media, “Everyone join me in praying for our President Trump and everyone at that rally. I hope everyone is ok.”
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, a possible vice presidential pick, posted to X, calling for prayers for the former president.
“Please join Kathryn and me in praying for President Trump, his family and everyone attending the rally today.”
Another vice presidential hopeful, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, also posted on X asking for prayers for Trump and those at the rally.
“Praying for President Trump and all those attending the rally in Pennsylvania today.”
“ATF is responding to assist the U.S. Secret Service and other law enforcement partners. This is a top priority. We have no further comment at this time,” ATF said in a statement.
ABC News’ Isabella Murray, Jack Date and Luke Barr contributed to this story.
(PENNSYLVANIA) — Former President Donald Trump says he was shot in the ear after a gunman opened fire towards the stage at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday — a harrowing incident that left one spectator dead, two others critically injured and sparked chaos at the event.
Officials briefed on the investigation told ABC News that the shooting — a chilling development on the eve of the Republican National Convention — was being investigated as a possible assassination attempt and that live rounds were apparently fired from outside the security perimeter. It is being investigated by the FBI overseen by the Justice Department’s National Security Division as well as the U.S. attorney’s office in Pittsburgh and comes amid a heightened threat environment.
The Secret Service, in a statement, said that a shooter “fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue” after which agents “neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased.”
The shooter fired as many as eight rounds from an AR-style rifle while perched on a rooftop adjacent to the venue and was 200-300 yards away at the time of the shooting, law enforcement sources told ABC News.
One spectator was killed and two others critically injured, the Secret Service said in a statement. In the wake of the shooting, investigators were trying to find out the identity of the male suspect, who was killed by a Secret Service countersniper, according to a source.
There appeared to be blood on Trump’s right ear as he was being taken off stage, and he could be seen mouthing “fight” and pumping his fist.
A spokesperson for Trump said in a statement, “President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act. He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility.”
In a statement on Truth Social posted hours after the shooting, Trump said he “was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear.”
“I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening,” he wrote in the post, which expressed condolences to the family of the rallygoer who was killed.
“It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country,” he added. Trump’s campaign says he still plans to attend the RNC.
Outpouring of support
The incident sent shockwaves throughout the political world and sparked condemnation from both sides of the aisle as well as an outpouring of support.
President Joe Biden called the incident “sick” and said “there’s no place in America for this kind of violence.”
“We cannot be like this. We cannot condone this.” Biden spoke to Trump in the wake of the shooting.
And Vice President Kamala Harris said she was “relieved he is not seriously injured.”
“Violence such as this has no place in our nation,” he added. “We must all condemn this abhorrent act and do our part to ensure that it does not lead to more violence.”
Donald Trump Jr., told ABC News he has spoken to his father, who remains at the hospital. He said his father is “in good spirits” as he remains under observation, adding that his father is “never gonna stop.”
“This is the fighter America needs!” Trump’s son Eric wrote in a post on X with a photo of his father’s fist raised in the air attached.
And Trump’s daughter Ivanka, called the shooting “senseless” and wrote “I love you Dad” on X.
Former Vice President Mike Pence said on X that he was “praying for President Trump and urge every American to join us.”
In a statement, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro said “We condemn this violence in the strongest possible terms and commend the Secret Service for their swift action today.”
Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, who is on the shortlist for Trump’s potential running mate, placed blame for the incident, without elaborating or citing evidence, on President Biden.
“Today is not just some isolated incident,” Vance wrote on X. “The central premise of the Biden campaign is that President Donald Trump is an authoritarian fascist who must be stopped at all costs. That rhetoric led directly to President Trump’s attempted assassination.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson vowed a “FULL INVESTIGATION OF THE TRAGIC EVENTS TODAY” in a statement on X.
‘People started to panic’
Trump was talking to the crowd about immigration when pops could be heard and chaos broke out. The former president could be seen grasping his ear before going down to the ground and being swarmed and shielded by Secret Service agents.
Dave McCormick, who’s running for U.S. Senate, told ABC News he was in the front row of the rally. He said he heard “seven or eight” shots fired.
“People started to panic,” he said. “Everyone dropped to the ground.”
Witness Leonard Verdetto said everyone at the rally had been “joyful” but then he heard “popping sounds,” describing 6-8 shots fired.
“None of us really registered at the time that all these people were saying ‘get down!’ ‘get down!'”
“We were all praying…We were praying to him to keep us safe, keep us protected.”
Another witness, a speaker at the event, Rico Elmore, said he was about 20 feet away from Trump at the time. He said at first he thought the shots were “fireworks.”
“I turned around, and someone yelled ‘medic.” Then he took his tie off and sprang into action, realizing there was no time for a medic to get there, but by the time he got there, he said, it was too late. “The person…was bleeding out through their head.”
He said “I tried to block the wound” by holding a towel against it until the medical team arrived.
“I just saw the bullets hitting the stands, bouncing up,” witness John Dohanich added. He said there was an initial volley of shots, followed by a pause, and then the rest of the shots.
“I’m hearing everyone screaming ‘get down!’ ‘get down’,” and he said he tried to help people get down. “I told them just to keep praying, keep calm.”
In the wake of the incident, Trump, with blood on his ear and the side of his face, was then led off the stage quickly, pumping his fist on stage and also as he was helped into a vehicle to be taken away.
Heavily armed security personnel got on stage as he was led off.
“An incident occurred the evening of July 13 at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania,” the Secret Service said in a statement. “The Secret Service has implemented protective measures and the former President is safe. This is now an active Secret Service investigation and further information will be released when available.”
The White House said in a statement, “The President has received an initial briefing on the incident at Former President Trump’s rally.”
In the wake of the shooting, there was a heavy police presence outside Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Florida.
Violence ‘absolutely unacceptable’
“Violence targeted at any political party or political leader is absolutely unacceptable,” Pennsylvania Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro said in a statement. “It has no place in Pennsylvania or the United States.”
Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, a possible vice president pick, wrote on social media, “Everyone join me in praying for our President Trump and everyone at that rally. I hope everyone is ok.”
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, a possible vice presidential pick, posted to X, calling for prayers for the former president.
“Please join Kathryn and me in praying for President Trump, his family and everyone attending the rally today.”
Another vice presidential hopeful, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, also posted on X asking for prayers for Trump and those at the rally.
“Praying for President Trump and all those attending the rally in Pennsylvania today.”
“ATF is responding to assist the U.S. Secret Service and other law enforcement partners. This is a top priority. We have no further comment at this time,” ATF said in a statement.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
(WASHINGTON) — President Joe Biden spoke with former President Donald Trump on Saturday night, just hours after a possible assassination attempt on him at his rally in Pennsylvania.
“I’ve been thoroughly briefed by all the agencies in the federal government as to the situation based on what we know now,” Biden told reporters earlier in hastily assembled remarks. “I have tried to get a hold of Donald, he’s with his doctors. Apparently, he’s doing well. I plan on talking to him shortly.”
“Look, there’s no place in America for this kind of violence. It’s sick. It’s sick,” Biden said. “It’s one of the reasons why we have to unite this country.”
“We cannot allow for this to be happening,” Biden continued. “We cannot be like this. We cannot condone this.”
Biden went on to thank the Secret Service and all the law enforcement agencies involved in responding to the shooting.
President Biden was in Delaware attending church when the shooting occurred. He was briefed by Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall.
In his remarks, Biden said he would keep the public informed as he receives more details about what transpired. A schedule update said plans had changed and Biden would return to the White House Saturday night.
“But the bottom line is, the — the Trump rally was a rally that he should’ve been able to be conducted peacefully without any problem,” Biden said. “But the idea, the idea that there’s political violence or violence in America like this, is just unheard of, it’s just not appropriate.”
“We — everybody, everybody must condemn it,” Biden said. “Everybody.”
Shortly after Trump started his campaign event in Pennsylvania in the 6 p.m. ET hour, Secret Service agents rushed onto the stage after loud pops were heard. Trump, who had ducked behind the lectern when the noises began, was seen with what appeared to be blood on the side of his head and face and was escorted away.
A Trump spokesperson said the former president is “fine” and “is being checked out at a local medical facility.” The Secret Service said Trump is “safe” and it was actively investigating the incident.
Reaction from lawmakers began pouring in on social media who said they were sending prayers to Trump and condemning any violence.
“Kelly and I are praying for President Trump and all the attendees of the campaign rally today in Pennsylvania, and we send our gratitude to the law enforcement who responded at the scene,” House Speaker Mike Johnson. R-La., said in a statement. “I have been briefed by law enforcement and am continuing to monitor the developments. This horrific act of political violence at a peaceful campaign rally has no place in this country and should be unanimously and forcefully condemned.”
“Praying for President Donald Trump. There is never any place for political violence,” said House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, a California Republican.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., wrote on X: “I am horrified by what happened at the Trump rally in Pennsylvania and relieved that former President Trump is safe. Political violence has no place in our country.”
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, said he was briefed on the situation and the Pennsylvania State Police are on the scene working with federal and local partners.
“Violence targeted at any political party or political leader is absolutely unacceptable,” Shapiro said. “It has no place in Pennsylvania or the United States.”
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi posted a statement posted X: “As one whose family has been the victim of political violence, I know firsthand that political violence of any kind has no place in our society. I thank God that former President Trump is safe. As we learn more details about this horrifying incident, let us pray that all those in attendance at the former President’s rally today are unharmed.”
Nancy Pelosi’s husband Paul Pelosi was a victim of political violence when he was attacked at their home in San Francisco.
“There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy,” former President Barack Obama posted on X. “Although we don’t yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasn’t seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics. Michelle and I are wishing him a quick recovery.”
A Biden campaign official said, “The Biden campaign is pausing all outbound communications and working to pull down our television ads as quickly as possible.”
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
ABC News’ Lauren Peller, Gabriella Abdul-Hakim, Fritz Farrow, and Allison Pecorin contributed to this report.
(WASHINGTON) — The Democratic National Committee announced on Saturday that they’ve drafted their 2024 party platform. The platform outlines priorities for Democrats to “finish the job” under the Biden-Harris administration, but also distinctly emphasizes their differences with former President Donald Trump.
The document was released following two drafting committee meetings this week that included input from voters. It outlines symbolic plans for the party ahead of the next four years but notably draws direct comparisons between their own planks and the Republican National Committee platform rubber-stamped by Trump.
The DNC’s announcement of the platform draft also compares their own language against Project 2025 — a plan to overhaul the federal government proposed by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative group closely aligned with the former president, though Trump has tried to distance himself from the blueprint.
“Architects of Project 2025 at the helm of the RNC Platform Committee to help him implement his extreme agenda to institute a national abortion ban, give handouts to his billionaire donors on the backs of middle-class Americans, make cuts to Medicare and Social Security, and ensure he can be a dictator on day one,” the Democrats’ press release reads.
The 80-page Democratic platform draft is significantly longer than the 16-page Republican platform approved by a party committee this week at their summer meeting, which will be voted on Monday at the RNC convention.
The draft of the Democratic platform will be voted upon on Tuesday by the DNC’s Platform Committee.
While the Trump-backed GOP platform includes 20 fixed statements focused on the immigration, tax-cuts, ending the “weaponization of the government” against Americans and certain social issues, among other points, the Biden-backed Democratic platform draft was announced under nine headers, all rolled out with direct contrast to “Donald Trump’s Project 2025 Plans.”
The headers emphasize Biden’s plans to grow the economy, tackle the climate crisis, strengthen democracy, secure the border and more.
In a statement, DNC Chair Jaime Harrison accused the RNC of using their “extreme MAGA” platform to implement the “toxic and dangerous” Project 2025.
“Our Drafting Committee incorporated a diverse set of expertise and perspectives, inviting Democrats from across the nation to participate in our process and contribute to our Platform. The breadth and depth of this Platform is rooted in our collective experience and reflects a bold agenda that affirms Democrats’ commitment to protecting fundamental freedoms,” Harrison said in a statement.
Days after Trump sought to distance himself from Project 2025 on social media, his former adviser Stephen Miller also appeared to back away from Project 2025. He asked the project’s organizers to remove his organization — America First Legal — from a list of advisory board members for the project. Representatives for Project 2025 have not commented to ABC News on Miller and Trump’s apparent repudiation of the plan.
(NEW YORK) — More than 100 million Americans are under heat alerts from coast-to-coast on Saturday. Record high temperatures are possible in Redding, California; Reno, Nevada; Denver, Colorado; and Grand Junction, Colorado.
In the West, there is an extreme heat risk in the California Valley with temperatures up to 115 degrees as the long-duration heat wave continues.
In the Midwest, Minneapolis will have a heat index of up to 98 degrees, Omaha up to 112 degrees and Kansas City up to 108.
In the South, the heat index today will reach up to 112 degrees for New Orleans and 109 degrees in Mobile, Alabama.
Image
Via ABC News
In the Northeast, the hottest temps of the year so far are expected in the coming days, with heat alerts out from Sunday to Tuesday. New York City could reach a heat index up to 100 degrees, Philly up to 108 and parts of New Jersey up to 111.
The heat will continue in the East for a few days with heat index values in the triple digits through Wednesday. Then a cold front sweeps through and brings a cool down for much of the country Wednesday.
NYC will experience a heat wave with highs in the 90s Sunday through Wednesday, and heat indices around 100.
Record high heat
Las Vegas set a a new all time record high temperature at 120 degrees this week, surpassing the previous record of 117 degrees.
The city also had seven consecutive days of temperatures above 115 degrees — four of those days were the hottest days on record to hit the city. On Saturday, Las Vegas has a forecast high of 111 degrees finally breaking the streak of temperatures above 115 degrees.
Other cities that had recorded high temperatures on Friday include Denver which hit 201 degrees; Colorado Springs which hit 100 degrees; Salt Lake City, Utah, which hit 105; and Phoenix, Arizona, which hit 116.
(NEW YORK) — Dr. Ruth Westheimer, the sex therapist, author and talk show host, has died, her publicist announced. She was 96.
“It is with immense personal sorrow that I announce the passing of the iconic Dr. Ruth K Westheimer at the age of 96, whose “Minister of Communications” I’ve been since 1981,” publicist Pierre Lehu said in a statement to WABC.
Her family added: “The children of Dr. Ruth K. Westheimer are sad to announce the passing of their mother, the internationally-celebrated sex therapist, author, talk show host, professor, and orphan of the Holocaust. She died peacefully at her home in New York City on July 12th surrounded by her loving family, just over a month after celebrating her 96th birthday.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
(WASHINGTON) — President Joe Biden is facing a critical point in his reelection bid as Democratic calls for him to exit the 2024 race continue to mount despite his efforts to shut them down.
A poor debate performance against Donald Trump reignited questions about Biden’s age and fitness to carry out his campaign and serve another four years. Biden has defiantly insisted he is staying the course, telling lawmakers this week he is not going anywhere.
Biden held his first news conference since the debate Thursday evening — taking multiple questions about his political future.
Here’s how the news is developing:
Jul 12, 2024, 9:46 PM EDT
Congresswoman voices support for Biden after Michigan rally
Rep. Haley Stevens, a Michigan Democrat, said after President Biden’s Detroit rally that Biden “is the only candidate with a proven ability to beat Donald Trump.”
Amid concerns from some who have witnessed the president behind closed doors about his ability to serve four more years, Stevens’ pledge of support comes after she spent the morning with the president on Air Force One, where, she said, “he demonstrated his leadership and wisdom, yet again.”
“Now is the time to stay the course, work hard, ensure we beat Donald Trump, and protect our democracy for generations to come,” she said.
-ABC News’ Will McDuffie
Jul 12, 2024, 8:50 PM EDT
Biden delivers rousing defense of his candidacy at Michigan event
President Biden took the stage in this key battleground state intent on proving his critics wrong.
Before an amped-up crowd of 2,000 in Detroit, a fired-up President Biden railed against Donald Trump in pointed attacks, challenged the press, outlined his first 100 days in office and tried to make clear to his doubters, he isn’t going anywhere.
“Folks, I’m the nominee!” Biden roared as the crowd erupted.
“I’m the nominee as part because 14 million Democrats like you voted for me in the primaries. You made me the nominee. No one else, not the press, not the pundits, not the insiders, not donors. You the voters, you decided, no one else. And I’m not going anywhere,” Biden said.
The president also framed his agenda by announcing his plan for his “first 100 days in office.”
Biden pledged to codify Roe v. Wade, passing an assault weapons ban, passing the John Lewis Voting rights act and to make sure the rich pay their “fair share in taxes.”
-ABC News’ Mary Bruce, Molly Nagle and Will McDuffie
Jul 12, 2024, 8:15 PM EDT
Biden addresses ‘confusing names,’ says Trump gets a ‘free pass’
President Joe Biden came out strong against Donald Trump at his campaign event in Detroit, Michigan Friday.
Addressing his gaffes during the NATO conference Thursday, Biden said, “They’ve been hammering me because I sometimes confuse names. I say, that’s Charlie, instead of Bill.”
On Thursday, Biden referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
During his press conference Thursday, Biden referred to Vice President Kamala Harris as Donald Trump.
Drawing attention to Trump’s history of name gaffes Biden said, “Donald Trump has gotten a free pass.”
“I guess they don’t remember that Trump called Nikki Haley Nancy Pelosi,” Biden said.
“Donald, no more free passes,” Biden continued, adding, “Today, we’re going to shine a spotlight on Donald Trump.”
Jul 12, 2024, 7:48 PM EDT
Biden at Michigan campaign event: ‘I am running’
During a campaign event in Michigan Friday night, Biden reiterated his commitment to the race.
“As you’ve probably noticed, there’s been a lot of speculation lately: What’s Joe Biden going to do?” he told the crowd. “Is he going to stay in the race? Is he going to drop out?”
“I am running and we’re going to win,” he continued.
Biden said he’s going to beat Trump again.
“I know him. Donald Trump is a loser,” he said.
Jul 12, 2024, 7:48 PM EDT
Some progressive say they’re sticking with Biden, but do express concerns
Progressive-leaning Democratic voters who attended the Netroots Convention in Baltimore Maryland Friday told ABC News they still plan to vote for Biden in November amid calls for the president to step aside.
First-time voter Emily Kolonder, 19, from New York says she believes Biden is the candidate who best aligns with her views on abortion access and climate change.
“Knowing both candidates’ policies, I will still be voting for Biden. But do I think someone of that age and that mental ability should be able to be President? No. But, when you have these two options, I think he [Biden] is the better of the two candidates,” Kolonder said.
Kolonder said that while she would support a different Democratic candidate if Biden were to pull out of the race. However, she is not confident Kamala Harris can beat Donald Trump.
“I don’t think she can get enough votes. I would personally support her, but I don’t think she can win,” she said.
Davonna Williams, a 30-year-old voter from Kansas City, Missouri said that while she believes in Biden’s abilities as president, she thinks he’s a “hard sell” to disenchanted voters following his most recent gaffes.
“I think what should have happened is that there should have been some planning, like a year, two years out, because we knew this point was coming. We knew it was happening. And I just feel like there was a lack of planning on the Democratic side,” Williams said.
Williams said she worries the calls for Biden to step aside may result in low voter turnout as infighting continues to grow.
“I certainly don’t think it helps. I think if anything, it’ll make folks just say ‘I’m just not going to vote,” she added.
-ABC News’ Briana Stewart and Emily Chang
Jul 12, 2024, 5:57 PM EDT
Biden call with Congressional Hispanic Caucus went ‘off the rails,’ member says
Biden’s talk with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus did not go smoothly, according to multiple sources who had knowledge of the meeting.
One member who was on the call with the president told ABC News it was “frustrating,” saying it went “off the rails” at one point.
The president was an hour late to the call, three sources said.
When it finally started, Bold PAC, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus campaign arm, who organized the virtual meeting said only two members would be allowed to ask questions, but Biden ended up taking three questions.
Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, who strongly implied Biden should resign in a statement released Thursday, and Rep. Gabe Vasquez both tried to ask questions by using the raise-hand feature on Zoom but it kept being taken down, according to a source.
This source blamed campaign staff who the source felt were trying to control the call.
Rep. Mike Levin was not on the list of ‘pre-selected’ members to ask questions, but when Biden opened it up the call to others, Levin told him it was time to step aside and allow someone else to lead the Democratic ticket.
Biden responded at length, according to two sources, with, “That’s why I’m going out and letting people touch me, poke me, ask me questions. I think I know what I’m doing because the truth of the matter is I’m going to say something outrageous: No president in three years has done what we have in three years other than Franklin Roosevelt, because of your help.”
“That’s not hyperbole, that’s a fact. No president. And so, that doesn’t answer the question,” Biden added, according to the sources.
“That was great when you were feeling good, ‘Biden, are you OK now?'” Biden continued, talking in the third person, the sources said. “That’s what’s underlying. That’s what people are worried about. ‘I’ve got a grandfather who’s 85 years old, and he can’t walk.’ It’s a legitimate concern for people, but that’s why I think it’s important I get out and show people everything from how well I move to how much I know and that I’m still in good charge.”
Biden tried to take another question and then the meeting ended abruptly, according to one person on the call and another person who was briefed after the 30-minute call.
Two congressional members who were on the call, however, described a more cordial call.
U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar D-Tex said in a post on X “It was a great conversation.”
“I am focused on what we need to do to win in November. Donald Trump is an existential threat, especially to our Latino communities. And I remain proud to be #RidingWithBidenHarris2024,” she said in her post.
Sen. Alex Padilla said in a post on X that “POTUS engaged with us on strategy and demonstrated once again that he is clear-eyed on the path forward to defeating Trump and MAGA extremism.”
“He’s had our communities’ backs over the last three years and we’ll have his this November,” the senator said in his post.
-ABC News’ Rachel Scott, Mariam Khan and MaryAlice Parks
Jul 12, 2024, 6:12 PM EDT
Biden to Detroit crowd ‘I promise you, I’m OK’
Speaking to supporters at a grill in Detroit before his rally Friday evening, Biden tried to allay fears about his age.
“For the longest time I was too young, because I was the second youngest man ever elected to the United States Senate, and anyway, and now I’m too old, but I know hopefully with a little bit of age comes a little bit of wisdom,” he said.
He made the contrast with Donald Trump stating, “And hopefully that in this in this moment, I think the alternative is not much of an alternative. And I do think ethics matter. I do think decency matters.”
Biden ended by assuring the crowd, “I promise you, I’m okay. Thank you.”
-ABC News’ Will McDuffie, Gabriella Abdul-Hakim and Fritz Farrow
Jul 12, 2024, 4:55 PM EDT
Whitmer won’t attend Biden Detroit rally
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will not attend Biden’s campaign event in Detroit on Friday, her spokesperson confirmed to ABC News.
Whitmer, who is the Biden campaign co-chair, is in Sun Valley, Idaho, for the annual Sun Valley Conference, an exclusive, private retreat of tech and media power players.
She’s had that travel planned for several weeks, the spokesperson said. Biden officially announced his Michigan rally this week.
Rep. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, who is running for the state’s open Senate seat, will also skip the rally, according to her spokesperson.
“The congresswoman had previous commitments outside Michigan today,” a spokesperson told ABC News.
-ABC News’ Isabella Murray
Jul 12, 2024, 2:45 PM EDT
19th House Democrat calls on Biden to bow out of race
California House Democratic Rep. Mike Levin released a statement Friday calling on Biden to stand aside and not run for reelection.
“It is time to move forward. With a new leader. Together,” he said.
Levin is the 19th House Democrat to call on Biden to leave the race.
Levin said he has been vocal about his views with his colleagues and has heard from “several hundred” of his constituents who expressed worry about the election.
“We must prevail against the incalculable threat Donald Trump poses to the American institutions of freedom and democracy,” he said.
-ABC News’ Lauren Peller
Jul 12, 2024, 4:17 PM EDT
2 Iowa Democratic House candidates join call for Biden to step aside
Two Democrats looking to flip red seats in Iowa said Friday that Biden needed to end his reelection bid.
Sarah Corkery, who is running for the state’s 2nd District seat which represents 22 counties in the state including Cedar Rapids, told the Des Moines Register that “now is the time for him to pass the baton to Vice President Kamala Harris.
“She will continue the fight to keep our democracy alive,” Corkery told the paper.
Fellow Democrat Christina Bohannan, who is vying to flip the state’s 1st Congressional District, which includes Iowa City, echoed the call for Biden to bow out.
Bohannan said in a statement posted on X that she’s heard from a lot of voters who are concerned about Biden’s viability.
The district is being heavily targeted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which lists it among 33 Republican-held or open seats it considers in play this November.
“It is time for President Biden to withdraw from this campaign and pass the torch to a new generation of leadership,” Bohannan said.
-ABC News’ Isabella Murray
Jul 12, 2024, 2:21 PM EDT
Biden to speak with progressive, moderate Democrats this weekend: Sources
President Biden is expected to speak with members of the New Democrat Coalition, a large group of self-styled moderates in the House, over the weekend, multiple Democratic sources told ABC News.
The group includes several Democrats who have called for him to withdraw from the race, including Reps. Adam Smith, Pat Ryan, Mikie Sherrill, Mike Quigley, and Jim Himes.
It’s not clear how many of those members will join the call. But it could be an opportunity for some of them to make their case directly to Biden.
The president plans to also meet with members of the Progressive Caucus on Saturday, according to sources.
-ABC News’ Ben Siegel and Rachel Scott
Jul 12, 2024, 12:29 PM EDT
Biden to speak with Congressional Hispanic Caucus: Sources
Biden will be speaking with members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus on Friday, two sources familiar with the planning told ABC News.
The meeting was technically set up through the BOLD PAC, which supports Hispanic and progressive candidates and includes members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, according to sources.
-ABC News’ Rachel Scott
Jul 12, 2024, 11:00 AM EDT
Ron Klain says Biden news conference a ‘more typical’ performance than debate
Ron Klain, a senior adviser to Biden and former White House chief of staff joined MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” on Friday to discuss Biden’s high-stakes news conference.
Klain framed the debate as a “bad night” and said the preparations were better than the real-time showing. Klain also said that what Americans saw on Thursday is more representative of Biden’s abilities.
“Last night, the press conference we saw … was much more typical to what we saw in the debate preparations,” Klain said, adding: “And I think that the president showed showed what he’s capable of last night in this press conference, and voters see it every day as he governs and leads the country and campaigns around the country.”
-ABC News’ Gabrielle Abdul-Hakim
Jul 12, 2024, 11:03 AM EDT
Jeffries, Schumer privately sympathetic to view that Biden on path to lose to Trump, source says
According to a senior Democratic source, at the Biden campaign briefing on Thursday with Democratic senators, only three senators spoke up to say Biden should stay in the race. The senators also asked for Anita Dunn (a senior adviser to Biden) to be at the briefing and she did not come.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer are both sympathetic to the view Biden is on a path to lose to Trump and it would be best if he moved on, the source said. But, the source said, “This is a private play, not a public one.”
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has also spoken to Barack Obama about this — although it is important to say, they talk regularly.
-ABC News’ Jonathan Karl
Jul 12, 2024, 10:45 AM EDT
Another House Democrat calls on Biden to step aside as candidate
“Joe Biden saved our country once, and I’m joining the growing number of people in my district and across the country to ask him to do it again,” Colorado Rep. Brittany Pettersen said in a statement.
The congresswoman urged Biden to “pass the torch” to “one of our many capable Democratic leaders so we have the best chance to defeat Donald Trump.”
There are now 18 congressional Democrats calling on Biden to step aside as the party’s candidate.
Jul 12, 2024, 10:36 AM EDT
Hakeem Jeffries met with Biden on Thursday to discuss the path forward
The House Democratic leader, in a letter to colleagues on Friday, said he met with President Biden privately on Thursday evening.
“Over the past several days, House Democrats have engaged in a thoughtful and extensive discussion about the future of our country, during a time when freedom, democracy and the economic well-being of everyday Americans are on the line,” Jeffries wrote. “Our discourse has been candid, clear-eyed and comprehensive.”
“In my conversation with President Biden, I directly expressed the full breadth of insight, heartfelt perspectives and conclusions about the path forward that the Caucus has shared in our recent time together,” Jeffries added.
-ABC News’ Lauren Peller
9:23 AM EDT Clyburn ‘all in’ for Biden but notes there’s still time before convention for president to change his mind
“I am all in. I’m ridin’ with Biden no which direction he goes, no matter what method he takes. I’m with Joe Biden,” Rep. Jim Clyburn said on NBC News in his first post-press conference interview.
“And if he were to change his mind … I would be all in for the vice president,” Clyburn said.
The congressman, whose endorsement was key to saving Biden’s primary campaign in 2020, said Biden has “earned” the right to make his own determination on his political future.
“I am going to give him that much respect,” Clyburn said. “If he decides to change his mind later on, then we would respond to that. We have until the 19th of August to open our convention and so I would hope we spend our time now focusing on the record that we would lay out for the American people, remind the American people what is in store if Project 2025 were to become the law in any form. That is where our focus ought to be.”
1:21 AM EDT President to visit Detroit following heavily scrutinized press conference
In his first public event since taking questions from reporters in an open presser on Thursday night, President Joe Biden is heading to the Motor City.
Biden will head to Detroit, Michigan, for campaign-related activities on Friday.
After a day of events, Biden will then travel to the Dover, Delaware, airport as he makes his way to his home in Rehoboth Beach.
11:22 PM EDT Fmr. Rep. Harman says ‘chaos’ in the party ‘plays right into Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump’s playbooks’
Former Democratic House Rep. Jane Harman called President Biden’s press conference Thursday night a “solid” performance.
“I thought Biden’s performance tonight was solid. Yes, there was one gaffe and there was a gaffe earlier today. I don’t think it’s been a secret for 40 years that he is gaffe prone, so I wouldn’t judge him that way. I thought his answers on China and on Ukraine were nuanced and thoughtful and proved what experience he has and what a nuanced mind he has,” Harman told ABC News Live Prime anchor Linsey Davis. “Having said that, I’m not going to pretend that the poll numbers are great, and I’m not going to pretend that some of the concerns are invalid, but … I think we have to be pretty practical here.”
Harman then pointed out Biden’s desire to stay in the race, his record, which she called “excellent,” and the uncertainty of what would happen with the Democrats if he left the race.
“Chaos plays right into Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump’s playbooks. And let’s not forget, there could be malign influence going on here,” she told Davis. “And a lot of the information out there could be domestically driven, or it could be foreign, malign influence.”
Regardless, Harman said she thinks Democrats will have a “private conversation soon.”
“I’m guessing Nancy Pelosi will be in the room, and she’s a highly respected vote counter,” Harman continued. “I give her a lot of credit. I served with her for a long time, and we’re still in active touch. And we’ll see; I mean, he said if he can’t win, he will leave the race. If he can’t win, he has to be persuaded of that. But if he can’t win, who can win? This is not a conversation about Biden leaving. It’s a conversation about the Democratic ticket winning.”
10:54 PM EDT First Dem. Rep. to call for Biden to step aside unchanged in opinion after presser
Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas, the first sitting House member to call for President Biden to step aside, told ABC News Live Prime anchor Linsey Davis that following Thursday’s press conference, his opinion hasn’t changed.
“I thought the president did a good job. I think he clearly is the most qualified person to handle our international relations. But the question before us — is he the most qualified person to turn around the undecided and the independents who have refused to join him over the past year and now complicated by the setback when we needed a surge that he had during the debate,” Doggett said. “Every time there’s a slip, a Vice President Trump instead of Harris, a Putin instead of Zelensky, people will focus on something that might not have even been noticed at past times. And to the extent over the coming months that all the attention is on whether he is fit and able to do this job instead of on Trump’s lies, we will be set back.”
Doggett, directing his comments to Biden, said the polls don’t support a top-of-the-ticket win.
“And, Mr. President, just as you deal with the reality of conflict around the world, deal with the reality of the numbers here. And when you look at those numbers, we don’t see a path forward for a Democratic Congress and a White House that is occupied by someone of President Biden’s skill, but is instead occupied by a criminal and his gang.”
10:37 PM EDT Biden campaign staffers fired up by press conference: Source
A source familiar with the thinking at the Biden campaign Thursday night told ABC News that following the president’s presser in front of the media, staffers were reminded why they moved to Wilmington, Delaware, to work on his campaign. They believe no one will fight harder for the American people than Biden. Those at the campaign believe the press conference showed off Biden’s deep policy experience, going above and beyond expectations, the source expressed.
Jul 11, 2024, 10:26 PM EDT ‘One’s a prosecutor, and the other’s a felon’: Biden corrects calling VP Harris ‘Trump’
President Joe Biden addressed saying “Vice President Trump” instead of “Vice President Harris” at his post-NATO press conference in a post on X late Thursday night.
“By the way: Yes, I know the difference,” read the post on the president’s account. “One’s a prosecutor, and the other’s a felon.”
Jul 11, 2024, 10:26 PM EDT Rep. Eric Sorensen joins chorus of Dems calling for Biden to ‘step aside’
Adding to the list of Democratic representatives calling for Biden to exit the presidential race, Rep. Eric Sorensen of Illinois released a statement following the NATO press conference Thursday.
“In 2020, Joe Biden ran for President with the purpose of putting country over party. Today, I am asking him to do that again,” Sorensen said.
“I am hopeful President Biden will step aside in his campaign for President,” he said.
Rep. Sorensen becomes the 17th House Democrat to call for Biden to step aside and the third to do so following the NATO press conference.
Jul 11, 2024, 9:39 PM EDT Post-press conference, House Dem Rep. Scott Peters calls on Biden to step aside
Not long after the conclusion of President Joe Biden’s first solo press conference in eight months, California’s House Dem Rep. Scott Peters is calling for Biden to leave the race.
After praising the president for “saving us from a second term of a Trump Presidency in 2020 and for leading with his huge heart and a steady hand in challenging times,” Peters said he does not believe that Biden’s record would “translate into similar success in his reelection campaign.”
Peters said the Democrats were already down in the polls before the debate, and Biden’s performance during the event, “raised real concern among elected leaders, supporters, and voters that the President will not be able to wage a winning campaign. This was not a blip. And while the Biden campaign claims the post-debate national polls remain relatively unchanged, polling in the swing states has worsened alarmingly.
“Today I ask President Biden to withdraw from the presidential campaign,” Peters continued. “The stakes are high, and we are on a losing course. My conscience requires me to speak up and put loyalty to the country and to democracy ahead of my great affection for, and loyalty to, the President and those around him.”
Jul 11, 2024, 9:08 PM EDT Democratic Rep. Jim Himes calls on Biden to ‘step away’ after NATO press conference
Following Biden’s press conference, Connecticut Democratic Rep. Jim Himes released a statement calling on Biden to “step away from the presidential campaign.”
Himes serves as the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee.
“The 2024 election will define the future of American democracy, and we must put forth the strongest candidate possible to confront the threat posed by Trump’s MAGA authoritarianism,” Himes said.
Jul 11, 2024, 9:06 PM EDT Biden ends 50-minute q and a with a shot at Trump
Biden ended his unscripted q and a portion of his news conference, which lasted 50 minutes, taking a question about a Truth Social post made by Trump during the press conference.
The former president mocked Biden’s age and memory for a gaffe early on where he said Vice President Trump instead of Harris.
When asked how he would combat that criticism, Biden smiled and said “Listen to him,” before walking off the stage.
Later, Biden’s campaign posted a screenshot of Trump’s post on X and with the statement “By the way: Yes, I know the difference. One’s a prosecutor, and the other’s a felon.”
Jul 11, 2024, 9:04 PM EDT Biden: No poll says there’s ‘no way’ he can win
Toward the end of the presser, when asked if he would reconsider staying in the race if his team showed him data that showed Vice President Kamala Harris would fare better against Trump, Biden said: “No, unless they came back and said, There is no way you could win.”
He continued in a whisper, “No one’s saying that. No poll says that.”
Jul 11, 2024, 8:33 PM EDT Biden cedes ‘others could beat Trump’ but believes he’s most qualified
“I think I am the best qualified to win,” Biden said as his news conference neared an end. “But there are other people who could beat Trump, too.”
“But it would be hard to start from scratch,” he quickly added. “We talk about money raised. We are not doing bad. We’ve got about $220 million in the bank. We are doing well.”
Jul 11, 2024, 8:31 PM EDT Biden on cognitive test: ‘No matter what I did, not everyone is going to be satisfied’
Asked if he is going to take a cognitive test before the election amid questions about his mental fitness in the wake of the debate, Biden said that if his doctor told him he needed to, he would.
Biden said he has taken three “significant” neurological exams during his presidency, most recently in February.
“They say I am in good shape,” he said, reiterating that he is tested “every single day” on his neurological capacity in his job.
The president added, “No matter what I did, not everyone is going to be satisfied.”
Biden said he is going to make the case to the American people that there are things his administration needs to finish, and the dangers posed by a Trump presidency.
“Do you think our democracy is under siege based on this [Supreme] Court? Do you think democracy is under siege based on Project 2025? Do you think he means what he says when he says he is going to do away with the civil service and eliminate the Department Education?”
“I mean, we’ve never been here before … I’ve gotta finish this job because there’s so much at stake,” he said.
Jul 11, 2024, 8:21 PM EDT Biden on Israel-Hamas conflict ‘It’s time to end this war’
Biden addressed his administration’s response to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and reiterated that he wants a cease-fire and ultimately a two-state solution.
The president touted his multiple talks with the Israeli government and Arab leaders but acknowledged that more work needs to be done.
“I have been disappointed that some of the things that I have put forward have not succeeded, like the port in Cyprus. I was hoping that would be more successful,” he said.
Biden reiterated that he has pushed Israeli leaders not to make the same mistake America did in its hunt for Osama bin Laden and occupy a territory.
“Don’t think that’s what you should be doing. We will help you find the bad guys,” he said.
Jul 11, 2024, 8:19 PM EDT Biden pressed on past comment he saw himself as ‘bridge’ to next generation of leaders
A reporter noted Biden made a statement during his 2020 campaign that he wanted to be a “bridge” candidate to help usher in a younger generation of Democratic leaders.
“I wanted to know –what changed?” she asked.
“What changed was the gravity of the situation I inherited, in terms of the economy, our foreign policy and domestic division,” Biden responded.
“What I realized was my long time in the Senate equipped me to have the wisdom to how to deal with Congress and get things done,” he continued. “We got more major legislation passed that no one thought would happen and I want to get that finished.”
Jul 11, 2024, 8:16 PM EDT Biden on strategy to interrupt partnership between China and Russia
Asked what his strategy is to interrupt the partnership between China and Russia and if he would be able to negotiate with Xi and Putin, Biden said he has “spent more time with Xi Jinping than any world leader has.”
“We have to make it clear and China has to understand that if they are supplying Russia with information and capacity, along with working with North Korea and others to help Russia, that they are not going to benefit economically as a consequence of that by getting the kind of investment they are looking for,” he said.
Biden added that after the Chinese “spy balloon” incident the U.S. and Chinese militaries have “direct access” to one other and “we contact one another.”
Jul 11, 2024, 8:08 PM EDT Biden ready to deal with Putin, Xi ‘now and three years from now’
Biden was asked if he will be able to deal with Russia’s Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping in two or three years from now, should he be reelected.
“I’m ready to deal with them now and three years from now,” he said.
He said he is dealing with Xi right now and that he has “no good reason” to speak with Putin right now.
“There isn’t any world leader I’m not prepared to deal with,” Biden said.
Jul 11, 2024, 8:01 PM EDT ‘I’m not hearing my European allies say ‘Joe don’t run,” Biden says
The president responded to a question about whether European allies should prepare for U.S. disengagement if Trump wins by contending that he has their support in the U.S. election.
“I’m not hearing my European allies coming up to me and saying, ‘Joe, don’t run,'” he said. “What I hear them saying is, ‘You’ve got to win. Don’t let this guy — it would be a disaster.'”
Biden pointed out Trump has an “affinity to people who are authoritarian.”
“That worries Europe. That worries Poland,” he said.
Jul 11, 2024, 7:56 PM EDT Biden says he needs to ‘pace’ himself when asked about schedule
Biden said he needs to “pace himself” when pressed on how he is up to the 24/7 nature of the presidency — while taking a crack at Trump’s schedule compared to his own.
“Where has Trump been? Riding on his golf cart and filling out his scorecard?” Biden said. “He has done virtually nothing. I’ve had roughly 20 major events, some with thousands of people showing up.”
Biden said he has always had an inclination to “keep going” but “I just have to pace myself a little more.”
“In the next debate, I’m not going to be traveling in 15 time zones the week before,” he said.
Jul 11, 2024, 7:50 PM EDT Biden touts Harris is ‘qualified to be president’
Biden addressed his previous statements that Vice President Kamala Harris “would be ready on Day One.”
The president touted Harris’ work with women’s reproductive health issues and her time in the Senate.
“I wouldn’t have picked her unless I thought she was qualified to be president. From the very beginning, I made no bones about that. She is qualified to be president. That’s why I picked her,” he said.
Biden was asked to address his gaffe earlier Thursday in which he introduced Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a meeting about the Ukraine Compact at the NATO summit as Russia’s President Putin, and if other world leaders needing to step in and make excuses is “damaging” to America’s standing in the world.
“Do you see any damage by me leading this conference?” Biden responded. “Have you seen a more successful conference? I was talking about Putin and at the very end I said, I’m sorry, Zelenskyy.”
“I thought it was the most successful conference I’ve attended in a long time,” he later said.
Jul 11, 2024, 7:44 PM EDT Biden: ‘I’m not in this for my legacy’
One reporter asked the president, “Have you spent time thinking about what it would mean for your legacy, which you’ve worked decades to build, if you stay in the race, despite the concerns that voters say they have, and you lose to someone who yourself have argued is unfit to return to the Oval Office?”
Biden replied, “I’m not in this for my legacy. I’m in this to complete the job I started.”
Jul 11, 2024, 7:43 PM EDT Biden says he will ‘keep moving’ despite criticisms
Biden began his question and answer session by responding to a question about the growing calls for him to step aside from his campaign.
The president said there was “a long way to go in this campaign.”
“So, I am just going to keep moving, keep moving, because look, I’ve got more work to do, more work to finish,” he said.
Jul 11, 2024, 7:40 PM EDT Biden mixes up Trump and Harris when asked about his VP’s viability
Asked about what concerns he had about Vice President Kamala Harris’ ability to beat Donald Trump, if she were ever to appear on the top of the ticket, Biden confused her with Donald Trump.
“Look, I wouldn’t have picked Vice President Trump to be vice president if I didn’t think she was not qualified to be president. So I’ll start there,” Biden said.
“The fact is that the consideration is that I think I’m the most well-qualified person to run for president. I beat him once and I will beat him again,” he added.
Jul 11, 2024, 7:36 PM EDT Biden says ‘future’ of America’s foreign policy up to the people
“Now, the future of American policy is up to the American people,” Biden said. “This is much more than a political question. It’s more than that. It’s a national security issue. Don’t reduce this to the usual testament that people talk about, issues of being a political campaign.”
“It is far too important,” he continued. “It’s about the world we live in for decades to come. Every American must ask himself or herself. Is the world safer with NATO? Are you safer? Is your family safer?”
Jul 11, 2024, 7:35 PM EDT Biden, giving remarks on NATO, makes reference to Trump
With the NATO banner and American flags displayed behind him, Biden recounted this week’s NATO summit in Washington and touted the strength of the alliance in the face of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
While he didn’t use Donald Trump’s name, he invoked him during the remarks.
“Meanwhile, my predecessor, has made it clear he has no commitment to NATO,” Biden said. “He has made it clear that he would feel no obligation to honor Article Five. He’s already told Putin, I quote, ‘Do whatever the hell you want.'”
“In fact, the day after Putin invaded Ukraine, here’s what he said: It was genius. It was wonderful. Some of you have forgotten that, but that’s exactly what he said. Well, I made it clear, a strong nato is essential to American I believe the obligation of Article Five is sacred,” Biden added.
Jul 11, 2024, 7:28 PM EDT Biden takes the stage
Biden is at the podium to answer reporter questions in his first solo press conference since November 2023, a critical moment for him as he faces growing Democratic pressure to step aside from his campaign.
Jul 11, 2024, 7:23 PM EDT Top officials in the room for Biden’s press conference
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and National Security Council spokesman John Kirby are in the room as are Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and National security adviser Jake Sullivan.
This is Biden’s first solo press conference since the APEC Summit in California eight months ago.
Jul 11, 2024, 6:42 PM EDT Biden soon to take reporter questions in high-stakes moment
Biden, facing a political crisis as Democrats question the viability of his campaign, is minutes away from holding his first solo press conference of the year — and since the debate two weeks ago.
It’s an opportunity for Biden to change the narrative after his poor performance that night triggered a drumbeat of concerns in his own party that he might be too weakened to win against Donald Trump this November.
But any stumbles in the unscripted setting will only add fuel to the fire, despite Biden’s repeated attempts to rebuff his critics and his insistence that he is staying in the race.
Jul 11, 2024, 6:20 PM EDT ‘It would be a big mistake to underestimate the president,’ German chancellor says
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz addressed Biden’s viability and future during an interview Thursday on the PBS NewsHour, saying, “it would be a big mistake to underestimate the president.”
“I just can tell you from my perspective, as someone that is speaking with Biden, he is very focused and he is very, intensely doing what the president of the United States has to do for leading [NATO],” Scholz said.
Scholz said that had not seen moments in his most recent interactions with Biden that indicated the president is not up for another four years.
-ABC News’ Benjamin Siegel and Will Gretsky
Jul 11, 2024, 6:28 PM EDT Biden introduces Zelenskyy as Putin at NATO summit
Biden introduced Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as President Putin at a meeting about the Ukraine Compact at the NATO summit Thursday evening.
Biden quickly corrected himself, saying that he was “so focused on beating Putin.”
Zelenskyy laughed off the gaffe.
“I’m better,” Zelenskyy said.
“You are a hell of a lot better,” Biden replied.
The exchange came shortly before Biden was scheduled to hold his first solo news conference since the presidential debate.
President Joe Biden accidentally called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy by the name of his rival, President Vladimir Putin, when introducing him at the NATO summit.
-ABC News’ Michelle Stoddart
Jul 11, 2024, 5:26 PM EDT 14th House Democrat pushes Biden to step aside, questions ‘fitness to do the job’
Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash., has become the 14th House Democrat to call for Biden to end his campaign and even questioned if he should remain in office.
Gluesenkamp Perez, who flipped a district in 2022, said in her statement Thursday she had spoken with constituents in the last two weeks and they expressed worry about Biden’s age and health.
“Like most people, I represent in Southwest Washington, I doubt the President’s judgment about his health, his fitness to do the job, and whether he is the one making important decisions about our country, rather than [an] unelected advisors,” she said.
“The crisis of confidence in the President’s leadership needs to come to an end,” the congresswoman added.
Senate Democrats met with top Biden campaign officials behind closed doors Thursday for about two hours trying to lay out the path to victory for the president.
One senator said the meeting was ‘tense’ at times.
A number of senators expressed concerns about the president being shielded by his advisers, two sources with knowledge of the meeting told ABC News.
Some senators stated they were being put in “difficult,” “impossible” or “untenable” positions by having to defend the president to constituents back home after the debate, especially for those senators in tough races, according to the sources.
No Biden campaign polling was shared with senators but instead Biden’s advisers laid out a strategy, including showcasing the president’s record, going after Trump, campaigning on a second-term agenda and building out the coalition of voters, sources said.
One senator who spoke to ABC News said, “I needed to see hard data that showed a path to success in November and we did not get that.”
“I continue to have concerns that only Joe Biden can address, not his campaign staff,” the senator said.
Senate Democrats met with top Biden campaign officials behind closed doors Thursday for about two hours trying to lay out the path to victory for the president.
One senator said the meeting was ‘tense’ at times.
A number of senators expressed concerns about the president being shielded by his advisers, two sources with knowledge of the meeting told ABC News.
Some senators stated they were being put in “difficult,” “impossible” or “untenable” positions by having to defend the president to constituents back home after the debate, especially for those senators in tough races, according to the sources.
No Biden campaign polling was shared with senators but instead Biden’s advisers laid out a strategy, including showcasing the president’s record, going after Trump, campaigning on a second-term agenda and building out the coalition of voters, sources said.
One senator who spoke to ABC News said, “I needed to see hard data that showed a path to success in November and we did not get that.”
“I continue to have concerns that only Joe Biden can address, not his campaign staff,” the senator said.
-ABC News’ Rachel Scott and Allison Pecorin
Jul 11, 4:40 PM EDT 13th House Democrat calls on Biden to bow out
Arizona Democratic Rep. Greg Stanton became the 13th House member to openly call on Biden to leave the race Thursday.
Stanton touted Biden’s years of work in his statement but said the president’s “most defining legacy, though, is as a fierce defender of American democracy.
“The Democratic Party must have a nominee who can effectively make the case against Trump, and have the confidence of the American people to handle the rigors of the hardest job on the planet for the next four years,” Stanton said.
-ABC News’ Lauren Peller
Jul 11, 4:17 PM EDT 12th House Democrat joins calls for Biden to step aside
Democratic Rep. Ed Case of Hawaii became the latest House member to call on the president to cease his reelection run.
Case released a statement Thursday saying, “Difficult times and realities require difficult decisions.”
“This has nothing to do with his character and record. If it did, there would be no decision to make,” he said. “This is solely about the future, about the President’s ability to continue in the most difficult job in the world for another four-year term.”
-ABC News’ John Parkinson
Jul 11, 3:38 PM EDT Macron says he’s ‘happy’ to have Biden as president
A foreign pool reporter at the third working session at the NATO summit taking place in Washington asked French President Emmanuel Macron what his impression of Biden was.
“I don’t understand your question about President Biden. He is my counterpart, he is the President of the United States, and we are happy to have him as the president of the United States,” Macron replied.
Macron spent ample time with Biden just a month ago during his visit to France.
-ABC News’ Michelle Stoddart
Jul 11, 3:34 PM EDT Wisconsin radio station admits it edited Biden interview at request of campaign
The Wisconsin radio station that hosted Biden last week for an interview edited the conversation at the request of the campaign, cutting out two of Biden’s soundbites, the station said in a statement Thursday.
“On Monday, July 8th, it was reported to Civic Media management that immediately after the phone interview was recorded, the Biden campaign called and asked for two edits to the recording before it aired. Civic Media management immediately undertook an investigation and determined that the production team at the time viewed the edits as non-substantive and broadcast and published the interview with two short segments removed,” Civic Media said.
Specifically a line from the interview “… and in addition to that, I have more Blacks in my administration than any other president, all other presidents combined, and in major positions, Cabinet positions,” was removed.
A piece of dialogue referencing Donald Trump’s call for the death penalty for the Central Park Five, “I don’t know if they even call for their hanging or not, but he—but they said […] convicted of murder,” was also removed.
The station acknowledged that the moves fell short of “journalistic interview standards,” but the station said it stands by host Earl Ingram, who conducted the interview.
-ABC News’ Olivia Rubin, Will McDuffie, Fritz Farrow and Gabriella Abdul-Hakim
Jul 11, 1:57 PM EDT Jeffries refuses to comment on Biden’s candidacy, says House Democrats’ conversations ongoing
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries remained tight-lipped on Biden’s candidacy as he continued to take the temperature of the House Democratic caucus.
“Throughout this week, as House Democrats, we have engaged in a process of talking to each other. Those conversations have been candid, comprehensive, and clear eyed and they continue until that process concluded,” Jeffries said during a news conference Thursday.
“House Democrats, Senate Democrats and President Biden are unified on the affirmative agenda that we have for the American people,” the New York congressman added.
Jeffries responded “no” when asked if Biden is a liability for vulnerable House Democrats.
Jul 11, 12:56 PM EDT More House Democrats signal doubt on Biden
New York Rep. Ritchie Torres posted a statement on X Thursday expressing more doubts about Biden’s viability on the presidential ticket.
Torres, who represents the Bronx, said the president “simply had one bad debate performance reflects a continuing pattern of denial and self-delusion
“The notion that the President is going to be saved by this interview or that press conference misses the forest for trees,” he said.
Ohio Rep. Greg Landsman said he is inching “close and closer” to calling on Biden to step aside in an interview Thursday on CNN.
“It’s becoming increasingly likely that this is, this may be just too high of a hill for him to climb,” he said.
Landsman said Biden’s letter to congressional Democrats on Monday did not help.
“The question is about the future of the country,” he added.
-ABC News’ Lauren Peller
Jul 11, 12:55 PM EDT Biden campaign lays out path forward in new internal memo
The Biden campaign is laying out what it sees as its path forward to Joe Biden winning reelection in a new memo shared internally with campaign staff on Thursday by Jen O’Malley Dillon and Julie Chavez Rodriguez, a source familiar with the campaign told ABC News.
The memo, first reported by the AP, acknowledges anxieties but claims they still have “multiple pathways to 270 electoral votes.”
The memo was revealed after Democrats had demanded Biden and his campaign show how it planned to win despite Biden’s poor poll numbers.
The campaign said it will focus on winning the “blue wall” states of Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan, and believes that the “sunbelt states are not out of reach.”
The memo states the race remains a margin-of-error race in key battleground states, despite calls for Biden to step down citing internal data.
-ABC News’ Gabriella Abdul-Hakim, Fritz Farrow and Will McDuffie
Jul 11, 12:31 PM EDT Senators discuss upcoming briefing by top Biden campaign officials
Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt. spoke with ABC News Thursday morning about Thursday’s scheduled lunch between Democratic senators and top Biden campaign officials.
Welch, who is, so far, the only Democratic senator to call for Biden to step aside, said the path forward involved the president persuading voters, not advisers persuading senators.
“It’s a show me not tell me issue. I think for Americans it’s not so much about individual senators or members of Congress,” Welch said. “It’s really about the challenge of everyday campaign.”
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., told ABC News he’s putting a bit more weight into Thursday’s meeting with the Biden officials.
“We are very interested to hear how they make their case,” he said.
-ABC News’ Rachel Scott and Allison Pecorin
Jul 11, 11:29 AM EDT 10th House Democrat calls on Biden to step aside
Michigan Rep. Hillary Scholten has added her name to the growing list of House Democrats who are calling on Biden to end his presidential election bid.
The congresswoman said in a statement posted on X Thursday that it “is essential that we have the strongest possible candidate leading the top of the ticket — not just to win, but to govern.”
“The people of Michigan’s 3rd Congressional District elected me to represent them with integrity. They elected a Congresswoman they trust to speak the truth, even when it’s hard. They voted for someone who would put America’s future first and stand up for what is right. That’s what I am doing now,” Scholten, who represents Grand Rapids, said.
She is the 10th sitting House Democrat to call for Biden to step aside.
Scholten noted that if Biden stayed in the race, she would “respect his decision,” and still vote for him.
-ABC News’ Lauren Peller
Jul 11, 10:07 AM EDT Biden press conference slides back an hour
The White House announced Thursday morning that the much-anticipated Biden’s press conference will now start at 6:30 p.m. local time in Washington, instead of the previous 5:30 p.m. start time.
Biden has a busy day of meetings tied to the NATO summit ahead of the press conference, including a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The presser will be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, and is his first solo press conference in eight months.
Jul 10, 9:39 PM EDT White House confirms time Biden will speak to media Thursday
President Joe Biden will take questions from the media on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. ET, his first press conference since the controversy over his candidacy erupted following his debate performance.
Biden has had fewer pressers with the media than his predecessors and the last time he took questions solo was back in November 2023.
The upcoming press briefing is being held at the Washington Convention Center, where Biden will spend a third day at the 2024 NATO Summit.
Jul 10, 2024, 7:35 PM EDT First senator joins growing calls for Biden to drop out
Sen. Peter Welch of Vermont called for Biden to withdraw from the 2024 race in a Washington Post op-ed published Wednesday evening.
Welch is the first Senate Democrat to officially call for Biden to step aside.
“I understand why President Biden wants to run. He saved us from Donald Trump once and wants to do it again. But he needs to reassess whether he is the best candidate to do so. In my view, he is not,” Welch wrote.
“I deliver this assessment with sadness. Vermont loves Joe Biden. President Biden and Vice President Harris received a larger vote percentage here than in any other state. But regular Vermonters are worried that he can’t win this time, and they’re terrified of another Trump presidency,” he said.
Jul 10, 2024, 6:47 PM EDT Ninth Democrat calls for Biden to withdraw from the race
U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., became the ninth Democrat to call on Biden to end his reelection bid.
Blumenauer, a senior member of the House Ways and Means and Budget committees, commended the president for his accomplishments, claiming in a statement released Wednesday that Biden “will be recorded in history as the most successful president in the last 50 years.”
However, the congressmen added that, in his mind, “We will all be better served if the president steps aside as the Democratic nominee and manages a transition under his terms.”
“The next six months will be critical in the implementation of President Biden’s landmark accomplishments that will define his legacy for generations to come. He should devote his energy and undivided attention to issues of war and peace, the climate crisis, and rebuilding and renewing America,” Blumenauer said, in part.
Jul 10, 2024, 6:39 PM EDT AFL-CIO calls on Democrats to unite behind Biden
The AFL-CIO for the second time in a week put out a statement in support of President Joe Biden after unanimously voting to reaffirm their support for the Biden-Harris ticket, saying that they are the “most pro-union administration in our lifetimes.”
The union, which endorsed the Biden-Harris campaign in June 2023, urged Democrats to support Biden saying, “The labor movement is united behind President Biden and Vice President Harris. We urge his party and the American people to join us.”
“The message from today’s meeting couldn’t have been clearer: Right now, it’s time to come together around a vision of a country where everyone has a fair shot with a living wage, affordable health care, retirement security, and time to do the things we love like spending time with family and friends and pursuing our interests and passions. These are fundamental to, as the president reiterated to our meeting, building the economy from the bottom up and the middle out, not the top down,” the AFL-CIO Executive Council said in a statement.
Jul 10, 5:46 PM EDT Newsom says he won’t challenge Harris, reiterates support for Biden
California Gov. Gavin Newsom was again asked about the future of President Biden’s campaign and whether he’d challenge Vice President Kamala Harris if she took the ticket during a news conference on the ongoing wildfires Wednesday.
Newsom stood by comments he made in 2023 when he said he would not run against Harris.
The governor reiterated that he is still backing Biden as the Democratic presidential nominee.
“I think I’ve had 100 media outlets asking the same question, and I think that I’ve amply answered my support for the president and the support I saw on the ground was demonstrable,” he said.
Newsom said he didn’t read the full comments that former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi gave on MSNBC where she said, “It’s up to the president to decide if he is going to run.”
He also said he had not read George Clooney’s New York Times op-ed that called on Biden to bow out.
Jul 10,4:48 PM EDT Morale ‘very low’ at White House as staff frustrated by Clooney op-ed: Source
Morale “is very low in the building,” a person who works regularly with senior level White House staff told ABC News Wednesday.
Some in President Joe Biden’s inner circle, including senior adviser Anita Dunn and chief of staff Jeff Zients, are said to be very frustrated and upset by George Clooney’s op-ed in the New York Times in which he calls on Biden to step aside, the source said.
The donor class is also deeply divided, a Democratic adviser told ABC News.
Although small donations continue to pour in and the very largest donors are doubling down, the huge swath of donors in the middle are holding back, according to the adviser. That group of donors, which gives anywhere from five to eight figures, are on pause, which is very damaging since they’re a major part of the donor ecosystem, the adviser said.
This adviser adds that the hand-wringing in the meantime has been very harmful to the campaign.
Another Democratic fundraiser says while a strong performance at the solo press conference Thursday could help the situation, many donors believe the crisis around Biden just won’t go away.
The doubts raised by members of Congress, the comments from Nancy Pelosi, and the op-ed from George Clooney are all fueling a flurry of discussions among donors about what to do if Biden drops out.
-ABC News Senior White House Correspondent Selina Wang
Jul 10, 3:33 PM EDT Biden to hold one-on-one interview with NBC’s Lester Holt
President Joe Biden will hold a one-on-one interview with NBC News’ Lester Holt Monday, the network announced.
This will mark the second TV interview Biden has held since last month’s presidential debate.
Holt will interview Biden earlier in the day while he’s in Austin, Texas, and the full interview will air at 9 p.m. ET, the network announced.
Jul 10, 3:24 PM EDT Republican presses top officials on Biden’s mental fitness
In back-to-back House Financial Services Committee hearings with Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, both regular, annual hearings on their agency’s policies, Republican Mike Lawler of New York redirected from questions about inflation and tariffs on Russia to ask each official about their personal interactions with the president.
Yellen said she wouldn’t describe the content of her meetings with the president or say when she last met with him because it was “private,” but she called Biden “extremely effective.”
“The president is extremely effective in the meetings that I’ve been in with him, that includes many international meetings that are multi hour, like his meetings with President Xi [Jinping of China],” she said.
“Madam secretary, have there been any discussions among Cabinet secretaries about invoking the 25th Amendment?” Lawler asked.
“No,” Yellen said resolutely. The 25th Amendment states that the Vice President and a majority of the Cabinet can together remove power from the president if he or she is incapacitated.
Powell, asked by Lawler if he’s “noticed any mental or cognitive decline” in meetings with the president, said “no.”
But Powell noted that he’d only interacted with the president twice in the last two years — once for a meeting and once to shake his hand at a state dinner, which Powell said was normal for presidents and Federal Reserve chairs, given the independence of the agency.
-ABC News’ Cheyenne Haslett
Jul 10, 3:23 PM EDT Concern over Biden’s future grows among Democratic senators
Multiple Senate Democrats spoke candidly with ABC News about concerns they have about Biden’s viability and said they want to continue discussions about the best path forward.
Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal said he is worried about “an existential threat to the country if Donald Trump wins,” and added “every day is critical” as Biden weighs his path forward.
“I have confidence in Joe Biden doing what’s right for America. What he believes is right for America is to defeat Donald Trump and he’ll be a pretty good judge of whether that will be possible,” Blumenthal said. “We can all advise him we can raise concerns ultimately the decision is his and I am going to continue to raise concerns but I do think we need to ultimately unify because the existential threat here is Donald Trump.
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, a Rhode Island Democrat, associated himself with the comments of former Speaker Nancy Pelosi made on MSNBC Wednesday, in which she appeared to leave the door open for the president to step aside.
“I thought Speaker Pelosi nailed it pretty well this morning,” Whitehouse told ABC News. He repeatedly avoided answering additional questions about whether Biden should resign before reiterating his support for Pelosi’s comments.
Although Sen. Dick Durbin told ABC News Durbin he was “very concerned” about Biden’s chances, he added that he’s always known the race would be close.
“I believe we wage the right campaign and make a point of what we’ve achieved under this president we will see him reelected,” Durbin said.
Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown, who expressed worries about Biden’s future during a closed-door meeting among Senate Democrats Tuesday, told ABC News he was hearing legitimate concerns from voters.
“My job is to listen to them my job is to go to hearings like this to fight for lower drug prices to fight for Ohio workers,” Brown said.
-ABC News’ Allison Pecorin and Rachel Scott
Jul 10, 2:07 PM EDT 8th House Democrat calls on Biden to step aside
New York Rep. Pat Ryan, a moderate Democrat, is now calling on Biden to step aside as the Democratic nominee.
“Trump is an existential threat to American democracy; it is our duty to put forward the strongest candidate against him,” Ryan wrote on X. “Joe Biden is a patriot but is no longer the best candidate to defeat Trump. For the good of our country, I am asking Joe Biden to step aside — to deliver on his promise to be a bridge to a new generation of leaders.”
Ryan is the eighth House Democrat to publicly call on Biden to step aside.
-ABC News’ Lauren Peller
Jul 10, 2:03 PM EDT Biden gives a fist pump when asked about Pelosi’s comments
Despite her remarks, Biden suggested he still has Pelosi’s support to continue his reelection campaign.
“Is Nancy Pelosi still behind you?” Biden was asked after taking a family photo with NATO leaders.
The president didn’t say anything, but flexed his arm and fist in the air.
-ABC News’ Justin Gomez
Jul 10, 1:58 PM EDT Debate over future of Biden’s candidacy continues
After a day of closed-door Democratic meetings where lawmakers appeared to be absorbing the sober reality that Biden would stay as the party’s presumptive nominee, new comments on Wednesday stirred fresh debate on Biden’s viability and path forward.
First, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was noncommittal on whether she wanted Biden to continue to run despite Biden insisting repeatedly that he had decided to stay in the race.
“It’s up to the president to decide if he is going to run,” Pelosi said on MSNBC. “We’re all encouraging him to make that decision because time is running short.”
Then, George Clooney, in a stinging New York Times op-ed, said Biden should step aside.
“It’s devastating to say it, but the Joe Biden I was with three weeks ago at the fund-raiser was not the Joe ‘big F-ing deal’ Biden of 2010,” Clooney wrote. “He wasn’t even the Joe Biden of 2020. He was the same man we all witnessed at the debate.”
(SAN FRANCISCO) — An American Airlines flight was evacuated after the crew reported smoke in the cabin while the plane was parked at its gate at San Francisco International Airport, according to airport officials.
The airline said the smoke came from a laptop in a passenger’s bag.
Jan Jankai, a passenger on the flight with his father, told ABC News when they boarded the plane, “it smelled like burned cables” and proceeded to get stronger.
Soon after, Jankai said they saw a huge flame from below his father’s seat and on all sides. He said the smoke got so intense “We thought we would pass out.”
“We tried to get up but were already buckled in,” Jankai said, adding he and his father quickly unbuckled their seats and tried to go to the back emergency exit.
Jankai’s father, who was seated above the passenger’s bag that was on fire, said he threw the bag out of the emergency exit door.
SFO said three people experienced minor injuries while evacuating through the emergency slides. One of the three individuals injured was transported to a local hospital, according to an update from the San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD) Friday evening.
American Airlines said they are aware of one passenger sustaining minor injuries while exiting the aircraft.
SFFD confirmed the incident was due to a battery fire and the fire was out before firefighters arrived at the aircraft.
The airline said some passengers evacuated via the emergency slides and others deplaned from the jet bridge.
The Airbus A321 was set to depart for Miami at the time.
(NEW YORK) — A man has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the stabbing death of a 13-year-old girl on July 4, Orange County Sheriff’s Office in Florida announced Friday.
The victim, Rose Dieujuste, was heading to a friend’s house in the complex where she lived when she was attacked, officials said.
During a press conference Friday, Orange County Sheriff John Mina said the suspect, 28-year-old Jerry Dorisme, is facing first-degree felony murder charges.
“Rose’s murder shook our community and our agency — anytime a child is murdered we all collectively grieve,” Mina said.
Mina said Dieujuste’s body was discovered in a utility closet, “partially naked and barely alive,” in the apartment building by a family member.
“Her friend found Rose’s cell phone and shoes in the staircase in that apartment building and reached out to Rose’s family,” Mina said during the press conference. “And the family member was knocking on doors to see if they could find Rose. And then they entered the utility closet and ultimately found Rose in that closet.”
The victim was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead, according to Mina.
The sheriff called the attack against Dieujuste “random and senseless.”
ABC News’ Orlando affiliate WFTV reports that Dorisme’s records show “several previous arrests, including lewd and lascivious behavior and a conviction for child abuse.”
Dorisme did not have an attorney listed in Orange County court records.
