The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Biden

Biden, British royals, Biya for Olympics’ opening ceremony

France is preparing to welcome dozens of heads of state and government, royalty and US First Lady Jill Biden for the Summer Olympics that begin with a dazzling ceremony on the river Seine tonight.

No Russian official representing Vladimir Putin’s government has been invited due to the Kremlin’s war against Ukraine, while an Israeli delegation will be heavily protected as tensions rage over Israel’s continuing bombardment of Gaza following the October 7 attack by Hamas.

But with only a day to go, there is still no confirmation that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will attend the opening of the world’s biggest sporting event in what would be a notable absence.

“We are ready to welcome the world,” said Samuel Ducroquet, France’s ambassador for Sports.

Russia, long a Summer Olympics powerhouse, has been banned from the Paris Games in response to Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, now in its third year, but a tiny squad of neutral athletes will represent the country.

A list of guests who will attend a reception hosted by President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace does not include Zelensky’s name. There was no immediate comment from Kyiv.

The new British prime minister, Keir Starmer, who is keen to strengthen ties with France, will be in the stands overlooking the Seine to watch the river parade.

Read Also: Malala Fund invests $7.8m ingirl-child programmes in Nigeria

Paris 2024 “is a big event for France but also for the UK,” said Menna Rawlings, the British ambassador to France, adding that around 500,000 tickets had been sold in Britain.

Other European leaders expected to attend include German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Finland’s President Alexander Stubb and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Georgia will be represented by both Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and President Salome Zurabishvili, and Moldovan President Maia Sandu will also be in attendance.

US President Joe Biden, 81, who has announced he is dropping his re-election bid and is recovering from Covid, will not fly to Paris, but US First Lady Jill Biden has confirmed her presence at the Games.

The closing ceremony will be attended by Douglas Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, who is now in the running for the White House.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog will attend the ceremony under heavy protection, despite protests from Tehran. Herzog will also meet Macron on the side-lines of the ceremony.

The head of the Palestinian Olympic Committee, Jibril Rajoub, will represent Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas.

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Emirati President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan are not on the list of guests.

But the Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), was seen in Paris at the traditional pre-Games session and will be present.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will skip the Paris edition and be represented by Vice President Han Zheng.

Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has entrusted his wife Rosangela with representing the nation, but Argentine leader Javier Milei and Colombia’s Gustavo Petro have confirmed their attendance.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are not on the Elysee list of guests.

Brice Oligui Nguema of Gabon and Faustin Archange Touadera of the Central African Republic will both be present. The attendance of Cameroonian leader Paul Biya and Rwandan President Paul Kagame has also been confirmed.

The new Senegalese president, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, will be there but South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa will skip the event.

The opening ceremony will coincide with the first anniversary of a coup that ousted Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum, and the country will be represented by sports ministry official Abdoulaye Mohamadou.

Britain’s Princess Anne, sister of King Charles III, and Prince Albert of Monaco arrived on Monday to attend the IOC meeting, as both countries are IOC members.

The king of Spain, Felipe VI, is also expected. Denmark will be represented by King Frederik X and Queen Mary as well as Princess Benedikte, the sovereign’s octogenarian aunt.

July 26, 2024
U.S. defence chief salutes Biden for service to country

U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has paid tribute to U.S. President Joe Biden as an “extraordinary guardian’’ of the country’s security.

He was “deeply grateful’’ for Biden’s leadership and statesmanship, Austin said in a statement after Biden announced he was withdrawing from the race to be the next president.

“He has a secure place in American history as one of our great foreign-policy presidents.

“President Biden has been a stalwart defender of free government, a fearless foe of tyranny, and a historic champion of an open world of rules, rights, and responsibilities,’’ Austin said.

Read Also: UPDATED: Biden drops out of U.S. presidential race

The entire Department of Defence stood united “in saluting President Biden’s service to the country that we defend, the Constitution that we revere, and the republic that we love.

“President Biden has repeatedly declared, we will lead not merely by the example of our power but by the power of our example, Today, he has done just that.’’

(dpa/NAN)

July 22, 2024
Clinton, Hillary, Pelosi, others hail Biden for endorsing Harris
- Why I dropped out, by U.S. President
A deluge of supports from leading Democrats has trailed United States (U.S.) President Joe Biden’s endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for nomination as Democratic Party’s standard bearer in the November election.

Biden yesterday announced his withdrawal from the race, nominating Harris to run. He said it was in the best interests of the Democratic Party and the country.

In a second tweet after stepping down from the race yesterday, Biden said: “My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And it’s been the best decision I’ve made. Today, I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this.”

Biden’s former Republican challenger, Donald Trump, in a post on X, said the President “is the worst president in the history of our country. He goes down as the single worst president by far in the history of our country”.

Among leading Democrats yesterday who endorsed Harris were former President Bill Clinton and his wife, former Secretary of State and 2016 Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senator Elizabeth Warren.

Clinton and his wife, Hillary, in a statement posted on X, said they were honored to join the President in endorsing Vice President Harris and will do whatever to support her.

The Clintons said: “Now is the time to support Kamala Harris and fight with everything we’ve got to elect her.”

Also, Pelosi thanked Biden for his decades of public service and called him “one of the most consequential Presidents in American history”.

Pelosi had served as a sounding board for those anxious about the president’s viability and warned the president privately that he was dragging down other Democrats.

Following Biden’s decision to stand aside, she wrote: “God blessed America with Joe Biden’s greatness and goodness.”

Senator Warren asserted that Biden’s presidency has been transformational.

“He accomplished more in the past four years — to bring back jobs, stand up to big corporations, and build an economy that works for all of us — than we have been able to get done in the last 40. He deserves full credit for beating Donald Trump in 2020, and his selfless decision today gives us our best shot at doing it again in 2024.

“I endorse Kamala Harris for President. She is a proven fighter who has been a national leader in safeguarding consumers and protecting access to abortion. As a former prosecutor, she can press a forceful case against allowing Donald Trump to regain the White House. We have many talented people in our party, but Vice President Harris is the person who was chosen by the voters to succeed Joe Biden if needed. She can unite our party, take on Donald Trump, and win in November,” Senator Warren said.

Read Also: Tinubu has good intentions to turn around Nigeria – Oluwo tells youths

Harris, in accepting her nomination, asserted that she would seek the Democratic presidential nomination, after Joe Biden endorsed her as his successor.

She said: “I am honoured to have the President’s endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination. Over the past year, I have travelled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party — and unite our nation – to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda.

“We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win.”

Former President Barack Obama said Biden has been one of America’s most consequential presidents, as well as a dear friend and partner.

He noted that after stepping down from the contest, Americans have again been reminded that “he’s a patriot of the highest order”.

“Sixteen years ago, when I began my search for a vice president, I knew about Joe’s remarkable career in public service. But what I came to admire even more was his character — his deep empathy and hard-earned resilience; his fundamental decency and belief that everyone counts.

“Since taking office, President Biden has displayed that character again and again. He helped end the pandemic, created millions of jobs, lowered the cost of prescription drugs, passed the first major piece of gun safety legislation in 30 years, made the biggest investment to address climate change in history, and fought to ensure the rights of working people to organise for fair wages and benefits. Internationally, he restored America’s standing in the world, revitalised NATO, and mobilised the world to stand up against Russian aggression in Ukraine.”

Obama said he knew Joe has never backed down from a fight, but “for him to look at the political landscape and decide that he should pass the torch to a new nominee is surely one of the toughest in his life.

“But I know he wouldn’t make this decision unless he believed it was right for America. It’s a testament to Joe Biden’s love of country — and a historic example of a genuine public servant once again putting the interests of the American people ahead of his own that future generations of leaders will do well to follow.”

Also, Senator Bernie Sanders noted that Biden has served The U.S. with honour and dignity.

“As the first president to ever walk on a picket line with striking workers, he has been the most pro-working class president in modern American history. Thank you, Mr. President, for all you’ve done,” Sanders said.

In announcing his exit from the race, Biden posted on his X hand: “It has been the greatest honour of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”

Reflecting on the challenges faced during his presidency, Biden expressed gratitude to the Americans for their resilience and support.

“Together, we overcame a once in a century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. We’ve protected and preserved our democracy. And we’ve revitalised and strengthened our alliances around the world,” he said.

Biden expressed his appreciation to Vice President, Kamala Harris, calling her “an extraordinary partner in all this work”.

President Biden highlighted the achievements of his administration over the past three and a half years.

“Today, America has the strongest economy in the world. We’ve made historic investments in rebuilding our nation, in lowering prescription drug costs for seniors, and in expanding affordable healthcare to a record number of Americans,” he said.

He also emphasised the progress made in other critical areas, including veterans’ care, gun safety, and climate legislation.

“We’ve provided critically needed care to a million veterans exposed to toxic substances. Passed the first gun safety law in 30 years. Appointed the first African American woman to the Supreme Court. And passed the most significant climate legislation in the history of the world.”

Biden remains optimistic about the country’s future, saying: “I believe today what I always have: that there is nothing America can’t do – when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America.”

Biden joins two other ex-presidents who abandoned seek reelection

In abandoning his reelection campaign, Biden joins two other incumbent presidents in modern history, who chose not to seek reelection: President Harry S. Truman in 1952 and President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968. Those presidents’ announcements, however, came months earlier and gave their party far more time to regroup for the general election. Even so, Democrats lost both elections.

Also, Truman and Johnson had both already served more than one term, having come to office upon the death of their predecessor.
July 22, 2024
UPDATED: Biden drops out of U.S. presidential race

The United States President, Joe Biden has announced his withdrawal from the upcoming November Presidential election.

Biden said it was in the best interests of the Democratic Party and the country.

The 81-year-old stepped aside on Sunday, July 21, after facing weeks of questions over his fitness to serve following the presidential debate performance with Republican challenger, Donald Trump.

His historic move comes after a 50-year career in politics that culminated in the White House.

In a letter posted to his X account, he wrote: ‘It has been the greatest honour of my life to serve as your President.

“It has been the greatest honour of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term,” Biden explained.

Reflecting on the challenges faced during his presidency, Biden expressed gratitude to the American people for their resilience and support.

“Together, we overcame a once in a century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. We’ve protected and preserved our Democracy. And we’ve revitalized and strengthened our alliances around the world,” he said.

Read Also: Halcyon Days church hosts ninth anniversary

Biden expressed his appreciation for Vice President, Kamala Harris, calling her “an extraordinary partner in all this work,”

President Biden highlighted the achievements of his administration over the past three and a half years.

“Today, America has the strongest economy in the world. We’ve made historic investments in rebuilding our nation, in lowering prescription drug costs for seniors, and in expanding affordable health care to a record number of Americans,”

He also emphasised the progress made in other critical areas, including veterans’ care, gun safety, and climate legislation.

“We’ve provided critically needed care to a million veterans exposed to toxic substances. Passed the first gun safety law in 30 years. Appointed the first African American woman to the Supreme Court. And passed the most significant climate legislation in the history of the world,”

Biden remains optimistic about the country’s future saying: “I believe today what I always have: that there is nothing America can’t do – when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America,” he concluded.

Recent reports indicated that Biden has been increasingly receptive to suggestions that he steps aside as the Democratic nominee.

Democratic leaders such as Senate Majority Leader, Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader, Hakeem Jeffries reportedly conveyed to Biden that it would be in the nation’s best interest for him to withdraw from the race.

Former House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi has played a pivotal role in communicating these concerns from House Democrats to the White House.

Pelosi reportedly told to Biden that current polling data suggests he is not positioned to defeat Trump and could jeopardise the Democrats’ prospects of reclaiming the chamber in November.

During discussions with Pelosi and other Democratic colleagues, Biden defended his candidacy, citing polling data that indicated he could still secure victory. However, recent polling showing him trailing Trump in swing states, including Virginia where he previously held a substantial lead, has intensified calls for him to reconsider his reelection bid.

Adding to the pressure, former President Barack Obama has reportedly advised Biden’s allies to urge him to evaluate the viability of his candidacy seriously.

Obama believes Biden’s electoral prospects have diminished following a contentious debate performance and subsequent polling trends.

Biden’s decision to withdraw also comes amid his recent positive COVID-19 test, necessitating isolation and disrupting campaign plans in Nevada.

July 21, 2024
BREAKING: Biden pulls out of presidential race

The United States President, Joe Biden has announced his withdrawal from the upcoming November Presidential election.

Biden, in a post on X, said he will remain in his role as president until his term ends in January 2025 and will address the nation this week.

“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President.

Read Also: Lagos intensifies advocacy for good sanitation practices

“And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term,” Biden wrote.

By dropping his reelection bid, he clears the way for Vice President Kamala Harris to run at the top of the ticket, the first Black woman to do so in the country’s history.

Details shortly…

July 21, 2024
Biden: Things getting messier as more ranking democrats ask him to step aside

Last week we dealt at some length with the confusion that has descended on the Democratic party, especially the Biden campaign, since his calamitous debate performance against Donald Trump on 27 June, 2024. Things have since gone south for both entities.

Indeed, were Donald Trump‘s would -be assassin, two weeks ago, a member of the Democratic party or had the incident happened in Nigeria, a mini World War 111 would, by now, have started in either country; in Nigeria, because of our highly toxic and atavistic politics. Happily it did not happen here and Thomas Matthew Crooks turned out a registered Republican though said to have once donated 15 dollars to a Democratic cause.

A classmate who took a history class with him was reported to have told the Enquirer that he definitely was politically conservative, and wondered why “he would carry out an assassination attempt on the conservative candidate.

The assassination attempt has now literally become history, remaining at best, a job for the security agencies and congress both of which would definitely probe deeper into the terrible security lapse.

That has, once again, brought to the frontburner, the ‘civil war’ raging, and seemingly, consuming the Democratic party which has gone into a tailspin since President Biden’s disastrous debate performance.

That situation has been exacerbated, indeed, terribly worsened, by the increasing number of ranking members of the party now asking the President to opt out lest he destroys the party at the November election at which he could perform so badly the party may lose the House which it hopes to retake.

The timing of the internal crisis within the party is so terribly dispiriting to members coinciding, as it does, with a triumphant Donald Trump – the same foul – mouthed, democracy – loathing brat, who last Thursday was uproariously ‘crowned’ as the Republican Party candidate for the November election, as usual, serially lying through his teeth and, ipso facto, making the night the best for the Democrats in three weeks.

Trump, who had always categorised the election as one between strength and weakness, was all gaiety, in spite of his near death experience, while President Biden now walks with a noticeable difficulty; a situation certain to now worsen by the fact of his having contacted Covid -19.

Read Also: Biden under new pressure from top Democrats as Covid halts campaign

He has been telling fellow democrats that the simple cure for his travails is for them to “get out there and show the sceptics that he has what it takes to run for, and win, a second term” – an absolute chimera in a situation where Trump is leading him hugely in all the key states.

Things are certainly not going Biden’s way at all.

Rather, an increasing number of ranking democrats are asking him to ship out. For instance, former House speaker Nancy Pelosi who had initially advised him to reconsider his position, is now reported to have privately told him that polls already show he cannot win, but could, instead destroy the party’s chances of winning the House in November if he insists on contesting. Pelosi was said to have sought the assistance of Biden’s longtime adviser, Mike Denilon, in driving this message home while there’s still time for the party.

Although it is being denied, Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer is also believed to have told him in unmistakable terms that he has to end his campaign now. Congressman Adam Schiff, who is contesting the Senate election in California, has added his voice to those asking Biden to drop out of the race.

Said Schiff, “while the choice to withdraw from the campaign is President Biden’s alone, I believe it is time for him to pass the torch and in doing so, secure his legacy of leadership by allowing us to defeat Donald Trump in the upcoming election”. Continuing, Schiff said: “our nation is at a crossroads and a second Trump presidency will undermine the very foundation of our democracy and I have serious concerns about whether the President can defeat Donald Trump in November”. Adam Schiff is a close ally of former House speaker Nancy Pelosi.

There is, however, an attempt by the Democratic National committee and, perhaps the Biden campaign, to fast track his formal nomination before August 7 in order not to run into any potential legal issues related to Biden’s ability to get on the ballot in Ohio, through a virtual endorsement, but a growing faction of the party believes that the President is too politically damaged to defeat Trump and has, therefore, advised the DNC to perish the thought. It has been suggested that this could make a complete mess of the Chicago Democratic party convention slated for 19 August, 2024 as it could eventuate in an intraparty clash between those insistent on fast tracking the formal nomination and those against. According to a leading member of the faction opposed to a virtual roll call vote, the President is already so terribly politically compromised that were the election to hold today, Biden would be crushed. This faction just do not want President Biden at the top of their ticket because of the damage they say that could cause, not only to the party, but for the future of America in the hands of a Donald Trump and his Republican party – a party now completely made in his image – in control of both the House and the Senate in addition to the presidency.

Americans, not just members of the Democratic party, are worried stiff about a Trump Second term. Indeed, Europe can barely breathe, Ukraine in particular, with Trump’s Vice Presidential candidate, the anti-Ukraine, pro -Israel and anti-China J.D Vance, already causing anxiety in Europe.

For a certanty what the world saw of Donald Trump in his first term will be a child play compared to the ogre he is certain to become at his second coming – no thanks to Heritage Foundation’s PROJECT 2025.

Organised with the aim of “promoting a collection of conservative and right -wing policy proposals to reshape the United states federal government and consolidate executive power in Donald Trump’s hands. Although he denies any link to them, many of his former staff are key members of Heritage Foundation. They are promoting totalitarianism under the lead of Trump who has always wanted to be like Putin, Xi and dictators in general. Trump campaign advisers are known to be in regular contact with the Foundation.

Among other things, the Project recommends the arrest, detention and deportation of undocumented immigrants. It proposes deploying the military for domestic law enforcement and canvasses capital punishment and the speedy finality of any of the sentences arising from their recommendations. The plan, as is already being showcased by the U. S Supreme court, proposes a partisan control of the Department 0f Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Commerce, the Federal c0mmunications commission and the Federal Trade commission. It recommends a complete dismantling of the Department of Homeland security. Project 2025 proposes abolishing Education whose programs would either be terminated completely or transferred to other agencies. Funding for climate research would be cut as it has no interest, whatever, in climate change. It also seeks to cut funding for Medicare and Medicaid.

Such are the draconian recommendations of Project 2025 you would not but wonder where in hell its promoters came from.

Critics have described all these as a programme of personal revenge and vendetta already being preached

by Donald Trump, just as it is intended to undo most of President Biden’s achievements in office.

I deliberately went to all this length about Project 2025 to show what extreme danger President Biden will be exposing, not only the U.S and the entire world, but his own place in the annals of U. S history to, if through his obduracy, and failure to hand over to a younger generation of Democrats as former Speaker Nancy Pelosi once did in the legislative branch, and thereby handed over America to a man about who J.D Vance, his selfsame Vice Presidential pick, once called a ‘social heroine and Hitler’, he would, by himself, have written off his legacy of long and meritorious service to America in the course of which he suffered truly unforgettable personal tragedies.

Yet as you read this, Biden still says he has not seen the compelling data to make him quit.

My prayer is that the good Lord will guide him in making the choice that will not only edify him but be beneficial to America and humanity.

July 21, 2024
Biden under new pressure from top Democrats as Covid halts campaign

President Joe Biden faces new questions over his candidacy in the November election – with his campaign events currently on pause due to a Covid-19 infection.

The top two Democrats in the United States Congress, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, are both reported to have met him individually to express concerns over his bid for the White House.

Nancy Pelosi, the former House Speaker, has also privately told him that he cannot beat Donald Trump in November’s election, according to CNN.

Biden’s re-election attempt was already being buffeted by growing dissent among top Democrats after his disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump last month.

Announcing his Covid infection on Wednesday, Biden’s press secretary said the 81-year-old was facing mild symptoms.

He would isolate at his home in Delaware while carrying out “all of his duties fully”, said Karine Jean-Pierre. She added that the president was vaccinated and boosted. He has tested positive for Covid twice before.

Read Also: World Youth Skills Day: How NewGlobe is equipping Nigeria for the future

Biden was seen earlier in the day visiting supporters in Las Vegas and speaking at an event. He was forced to cancel a speech later in the day at UnidosUS, a Latino civil rights organisation.

It marked a sudden and debilitating end to a trip that was supposed to see Biden hitting the campaign trail again with full force – after the pause sparked by the attempted assassination of his rival Trump.

The president had spent time in Las Vegas trying to revive his appeal among Hispanic voters, with whom his poll lead has slipped since 2020.

July 19, 2024
‘I will keep NATO strong,’ says Biden

U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday closed a three-day NATO summit in Washington by promising to “keep NATO strong,” in a press conference that focused heavily on U.S. politics and concerns about his mental fitness.

The 81-year-old U.S. leader is facing calls to let another candidate from his Democratic Party replace him in this year’s presidential race due to fears that he is suffering a mental decline.

The opposing Republican Party is expected to nominate former president Donald Trump, 78, at its convention, which begins on Monday in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

“My predecessor has made it clear he has no commitment to NATO,” Biden said.

“He’s made it clear that he would feel no obligation to honour Article 5″ of the NATO treaty, which commits all allies to respond if one is attacked.

“But I made it clear a strong NATO is essential to American security. And I believe the obligation of Article 5 is sacred,” Biden contrasted.

“I will not bow down to Putin. I will not walk away from Ukraine. I will keep NATO strong,” the U.S. leader continued.

Biden’s speech followed a three-day summit in which NATO leaders announced further military support for Ukraine’s efforts to repel the Russian invasion, including air-defence systems and a pledge to spend 40 billion euro (or 43 billion dollars) in the next year.

They also declared Ukraine’s future path to NATO membership “irreversible.”

The United States and Germany also announced on Wednesday that the former would station long-range cruise missiles in “episodic deployments” in Germany to strengthen NATO’s deterrence in Europe.

But Biden’s closing press conference was dominated by the forthcoming presidential election in his country, and whether he should persist in running for re-election.

When asked whether he’d still be able to “deal with” Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping three years from now, Biden said he would not talk to Putin until the Russian leader changed course.

“I’m dealing with Xi right now and (I’m in) direct contact with him.

“I have no good reason to talk to Putin right now. There’s not much that he is prepared to do in terms of accommodating any change in his behaviour.

Read Also: Biden’s doctor dismisses White House neurologist visit concerns

“I’m not ready to talk to Putin unless Putin’s ready to change his behaviour,” he said.

At times during the hour-long news conference, Biden struggled to express himself coherently, and in one instance appeared to confuse Trump with Vice-President Kamala Harris.

When asked for his opinion of Harris’ ability to beat Trump, he said: “Look, I wouldn’t have picked Vice President Trump to be vice president, did I think she was not qualified to be president” (sic).

He went on to say, “I think I’m the most qualified person to run for president.”

This followed an earlier gaffe in a speech after a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, when Biden introduced the Ukrainian leader as “President Putin.”

“And now I hand over to the president of Ukraine, who has as much courage as he has determination – ladies and gentlemen, President Putin,” Biden said.

Biden corrected himself a moment later, adding: “….to beat President Putin – President Zelensky!”

In a post-summit news conference shortly before Biden’s, Britain’s newly-appointed Prime Minister Keir Starmer was repeatedly asked about Biden’s mental fitness.

Starmer said Biden “deserves credit” for the summit’s achievements.

“We have a bigger NATO, and more countries; we have a stronger NATO. We have a real sense of resolve,” Starmer said.

“President Biden led through all of that,” he added.

Earlier in the day, Finnish President Alexander Stubb told reporters he had no concerns about Biden’s capabilities.

“I have absolutely no concerns about the capacity of the current president of the United States to lead his country and to lead our fight for Ukraine and to lead NATO,” Stubb told reporters.

“I’ve had the opportunity to speak to President Biden on many occasions during the past 48 hours.

“We human beings, when we’re treated in the public eye, we’re never as good as we sometimes look, and we’re never as bad,” Stubb added.

(dpa/NAN)

July 12, 2024
Biden’s doctor dismisses White House neurologist visit concerns

U.S. President, Joe Biden’s personal physician on Tuesday stated that the president had not seen a neurologist outside of his annual physical examination.

This was as a result of the U.S. media reports about a Parkinson’s specialist visiting the White House multiple times.

Biden’s personal physician, Kevin O’Connor, said in a letter published on Monday that neurological specialist Dr Cannard examined President Biden for each of his annual physicals.

“Biden has not seen a neurologist outside of his annual physical,” he said.

O’Connor said Cannard had been visiting patients at the White House for a dozen years and was not chosen because he was a movement disorder specialist.

The statement by Biden’s personal physician comes after a heated debate had broken out at a press conference between journalists and White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

The New York Times, citing official visitor logs, reported that Cannard had visited the White House eight times since last summer.

Jean-Pierre refused to respond to questions about why Cannard had been visiting the White House regularly over the past few months.

Read Also: I’m staying in race, Biden insists in letter to Democrats, TV interview

According to O’Connor, the results of the neurological examination by Cannard were made public each time, most recently at the end of February.

The published health report stated that there were no indications of possible strokes or Parkinson’s disease, and that the president showed “no tremor, either at rest or with activity,” the letter said.

Biden, 81, has increasingly faced questions about his mental fitness since his TV debate with Republican challenger Donald Trump.

A debate was sparked in the U.S. over whether Biden is the right Democratic presidential candidate for the November election due to his age.

Biden has rejected any doubts and refuses to take a cognitive health test to assess his mental abilities.

The White House’s recent action is uncommon and indicates the increasing pressure.

The release of the letter likely aims to dispel any rumours suggesting the possibility of Parkinson’s disease.

Jean-Pierre told the press briefing that he was not being treated for the disease.

(dpa/NAN)

July 9, 2024
I’m staying in race, Biden insists in letter to Democrats, TV interview

United States (U.S.) President Joe Biden came out swinging yesterday against critics of his calamitous June debate performance, telling Democrats in an open letter and Americans in a pugnacious live TV interview he is staying in the presidential race.

This means he has rejected growing calls to concede that at 81 he is too old and ineffective to beat Donald Trump, and should drop out in favour of a younger candidate.

The president lashed out at “elites in the party” in a live telephone interview with the MSNBC show Morning Joe, saying they were behind calls for him to quit. He added: “If any of these guys don’t think I should run, run against me. Go ahead. Announce for president – challenge me at the convention!”

Touting what he said was a demanding campaign schedule around his hosting of a NATO summit this week, the president insisted: “The American public is not going to move away from me.

Read Also: We’ve done well, Nigerians will soon jubilate – APC Govs

“I’m here for two reasons, pal. One, to rebuild the economy for hard-working middle class people, to give everybody a shot. It’s a straight shot. Everybody gets a fair chance. Number two, people always talk about how I don’t have the wide support. Come on, give me a break. Come with me. Watch.”

Concerns about Biden’s fitness have dogged him throughout his time in office, but they exploded into open view late last month after the first of two scheduled debates with Trump.

Onstage in Atlanta on 27 June, Biden appeared hesitant, confused and physically diminished, struggles aides put down to a cold and jet lag.

In comparison, Trump spewed lies virtually unchecked by his opponent or CNN moderators working to rules that precluded instant fact checks.

July 9, 2024