Democrat megadonors have frozen $90 million in pledges to the pro-Biden super PAC, Future Forward. This decision follows a poorly received press conference by President Joe Biden, where his performance did little to assuage concerns about his capability to lead the 2024 campaign. During the press conference, Biden made numerous gaffes, including referring to Kamala Harris as “Vice President Trump,” which further fueled doubts about his mental acuity. As a result, three more House Democrats joined the ranks of those calling for Biden to withdraw from the race, bringing the total to 18.
Representative Jim Himes (D-CT) voiced the sentiment of many within the party when he stated that Biden’s continued presence in the race could jeopardize not just the presidential election but also the Democrats’ control of the Senate and the House. This growing unrest among Democrats has led to speculation that a coordinated rebellion against Biden may be imminent.
Prominent figures such as former President Barack Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have reportedly expressed reservations about Biden’s candidacy behind closed doors. While Obama has maintained a hands-off approach, some believe he may be orchestrating efforts to persuade Biden to step aside. This speculation was fueled by a recent op-ed by actor George Clooney, who called for Biden to withdraw, allegedly after consulting with Obama.
The future of Biden’s campaign remains uncertain as pressure mounts from within his party and from influential donors. The next few days will be critical in determining whether Biden can maintain his position as the presumptive Democratic nominee or if the party will seek a new candidate.
