July 16, 2024
3 mins read

Biden admits Trump ‘bullseye’ comments a mistake

Biden said he meant Democrats needed to focus more on Trump, his policies and the false statements he made during the presidential debate late last month…reports Asian Lite News

President Joe Biden has said it was a mistake for him to say “time to put Trump in a bullseye”, days before Saturday’s assassination attempt on his election rival.

Biden’s remarks came in his first interview since the incident, in which he defended his rhetoric against Donald Trump and cited why it was important.

The president told NBC’s Lester Holt his campaign had a duty to clearly communicate the threat of a second Trump term, adding that his words were not the ones that needed to be tempered.

Biden said he meant Democrats needed to focus more on Trump, his policies and the false statements he made during the presidential debate late last month.

“It was a mistake to use the word. I didn’t say crosshairs. I meant bullseye, I meant focus on him. Focus on what he’s doing,” he said.

Throughout the interview, Biden made it clear he would not be stepping aside in the presidential race – despite calls from members of his own party after his poor debate performance.

“I’m old,” he lamented, while also noting he’s only three years older than Trump. He said his mental acuity was fine and listed his accomplishments as president – but acknowledged he was working to reaffirm to Americans that he was up the job.

“I understand why people say, ‘God, he’s 81 years old. Whoa. What’s he going to be when he’s 83 years old, 84 years?’ It’s a legitimate question to ask,” he said.

He said he put his faith in the voters who overwhelmingly backed him in the Democratic primary. “I listen to them.” The president has repeatedly called for Americans to “lower the temperature” since the shooting on Saturday, where Trump’s ear was grazed by a bullet.

One crowd member was killed and two others were critically injured in the attack.

About a dozen Republicans have blamed Mr Biden and other Democrats for inciting the attempt on Trump’s life. Many have specifically cited Mr Biden’s “bullseye” comment.

According to Politico, Biden had said on a private donor call: “I have one job, and that’s to beat Donald Trump. I’m absolutely certain I’m the best person to be able to do that. So, we’re done talking about the debate. It’s time to put Trump in a bullseye.”

President Biden, in an Oval Office address on Sunday, denounced the attack and called for Americans to “take a step back”, warning that “political rhetoric in this country has gotten very heated”.

When asked in the NBC interview if he had also taken a step back to examine his past remarks for anything “that could incite people who are not balanced”, Mr Biden said the inflammatory rhetoric had not come from him.

“I’ve not engaged in that rhetoric,” Biden said. “Now, my opponent is engaged in that rhetoric.

“How do you talk about the threat to democracy, which is real, when a president says things like he says? Do you just not say anything, because it may incite somebody? I am not the guy that said I want to be a dictator on day one, I am not the guy that refused to accept the outcome of the election.”

ALSO READ-Musk pledges $45 mn a month to fund Trump election

Previous Story

Musk pledges $45 mn a month to fund Trump election

Next Story

Vance is Trump’s pick as running mate

Latest from -Top News

India Eyes Global No. 3 Spot, Says Modi

The Prime Minister stated that people of India have resolved to make India a Developed Nation by 2047, when “we celebrate 100 years of Independence”….reports Asian Lite News Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Bangladesh’s Dark Side Unveiled in Geneva

Organised by diaspora activists, the exhibit exposed rising rights abuses in Bangladesh post-Hasina…reports Asian Lite News In a bid to spotlight the deteriorating human rights situation and rising persecution of minorities in

India Outpaces Peers in Morgan Stanley Outlook

Global investment firm reaffirms India’s status as top-performing economy in latest growth outlook…reports Asian Lite News India is set to retain its position as the fastest-growing economy among nations tracked by Morgan

Debt deals, austerity still rule Colombo

IMF approves $350 million t ranche as island nation sees early signs of recovery, but challenges persist amid ongoing reforms and rising public discontent….reports Asian Lite News The International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Kinetic storm clouds gather over Indo-Pacific for Modi and Biden

There are many in the higher levels of policymaking in

Biden raises concerns over Chinese activities in Cambodia

US President, who met Cambodia’s PM Sen in Phnom Penh,