As Democrats continue to question President Biden’s ability to remain the party’s nominee, former President Donald J. Trump has surprisingly refrained from publicly commenting on the issue.
Despite his usual outspoken nature, Mr. Trump has not been as vocal since last week’s debate, only giving a few radio interviews and maintaining his presence on his social media platform, Truth Social. He has allowed the Democratic Party to take the lead in discussions about Mr. Biden’s future, indicating his preference for facing the current president in the upcoming election.
While Mr. Trump has been critical of Mr. Biden’s fitness to lead in the past, he has chosen to stay relatively quiet on the matter, signaling his confidence in defeating him in November, according to anonymous advisers.
Recent polls have shown that some Republican voters believe Mr. Biden should remain the Democratic nominee, with Mr. Trump dismissing the possibility of him being replaced on the ticket. He has also highlighted polling data that suggests Mr. Biden performs better against him compared to other potential candidates.
However, new polls indicate that other Democratic candidates could pose a challenge to Mr. Trump in a hypothetical matchup. Despite this, Mr. Trump has continued to focus on criticizing Mr. Biden, suggesting that his campaign strategy is tailored to face the current president.
Mr. Trump’s campaign managers have expressed confidence in his ability to defeat any Democratic candidate in the upcoming election. They have criticized Democrats for turning on Mr. Biden, accusing them of hypocrisy and supporting his policies while questioning his cognitive state.
While Mr. Trump’s campaign has intensified attacks on Vice President Kamala Harris, suggesting she could be a potential replacement for Mr. Biden, some in his orbit are preparing for the possibility of facing a different Democratic candidate. The focus remains on ensuring readiness for any scenario that may arise.
Despite speculation about Mr. Biden’s future as the nominee, Mr. Trump has already shifted his attention to Ms. Harris as a potential opponent in the election, indicating a strategic shift in his campaign approach.
Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of Mr. Trump, has also weighed in on the potential shift in the 2024 race if Ms. Harris were to become the Democratic nominee. He emphasized the importance of expanding the demographic reach of the Republican Party to effectively compete in the upcoming election.
