The former first lady, Jill Biden, recalled the June 2024 CNN faceoff with Donald Trump and her husband, Joe Biden, in a new interview. She said the moment felt unlike anything she had seen before or since. The comments added a personal layer to the night that reshaped the presidential race and preceded Biden’s exit.
The remark also revived scrutiny of his health that night. The debate had fueled urgent questions about Biden’s health, delivery, and ability to continue the campaign. Weeks later, he ended his reelection bid and endorsed Kamala Harris.
Jill Biden says Joe Biden’s demeanor during Trump debate ‘scared her to death’
As per the CBS Sunday Morning clip, Rita Braver asked Jill Biden whether she was horrified as the debate unfolded. Biden answered, “I wasn’t horrified. I was frightened.” She added that she had “never ever seen Joe like that before or since.” When Braver asked what happened, the former first lady said, “I don’t know what happened.” Then, she recalled thinking, “Oh, my God, he’s having a stroke.” She added that it “scared me to death.”
Meanwhile, the June 2024 CNN event in Atlanta became a turning point for Joe Biden’s reelection bid. Jake Tapper and Dana Bash are explaining the no-audience format and muted microphones. One difficult moment came during a Medicare answer, when Biden said, “Look, if, we finally beat Medicare.” Later, Donald Trump responded, “I really don’t know what he said at the end of that sentence.” The exchange quickly fueled questions about Biden’s condition.
As per CBS News, the interview also covered Jill Biden’s book, “View from the East Wing: A Memoir.” The outlet noted that Joe Biden dropped out about a month after the debate. At that point, there were 107 days left before the general election. He then endorsed Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee. That made him the first sitting president to exit a race since Lyndon B. Johnson in March 1968.
