Joe Biden’s odds of winning reelection in November fell to an all-time low with one bookmaker after the president made a number of gaffes at media events on Thursday around the NATO summit in Washington, D.C.
The Betfair odds on Biden gaining a second White House term later this year fell from 9/1 (10 percent) on Thursday before the president’s latest gaffes, to 18/1 (5.3 percent) in the immediate aftermath before climbing back to 10/1 (9.1 percent) on Friday morning.
On Thursday Biden mistakenly introduced Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as “President Putin,” the Russian leader who ordered the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and described Vice President Kamala Harris as “Vice President Trump.”
Concern over the age and mental cognition of Biden, 81, surged after his first presidential debate against former President Donald Trump in Atlanta on June 27, at which the incumbent president repeatedly appeared to lose his train of thought. In the aftermath a succession of prominent Democrats, including members of Congress and Hollywood megastar George Clooney, have called for Biden to step down and allow his party to pick a different nominee.
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Speaking to Newsweek Betfair spokesperson Sam Rosbottom commented: “While Joe Biden appeared uncertain on the identity of both the Ukrainian leader and his own vice president, Betfair Exchange punters remain clear on his own chances of remaining the U.S. president.
“Biden was 9/1 before his latest gaffes yesterday, but saw his odds balloon to 18/1 following those press conference slip-ups. He has since settled at 10/1 today.
“Trump remains the clear favorite to reclaim the Oval Office at 4/6—a result becoming ever more likely given the chaos consuming the Democrats.”
Newsweek contacted Joe Biden’s 2024 presidential campaign for comment by email on Saturday outside of regular office hours.
In the immediate aftermath of Thursday’s gaffes House Democrats Jim Himes and Eric Sorensen added their voices to those calling for Biden to step down from the presidential race.
In a post on X, Connecticut Representative Himes said: “Joe Biden’s record of public service is unrivaled. His accomplishments are immense. His legacy as a great president is secure. He must not risk that legacy, those accomplishments and American democracy to soldier on in the face of the horrors promised by Donald Trump.”
A similar argument was made by Representative Sorensen, from Illinois, who said on X: “It is more important than ever that our neighbors have a candidate for President who will communicate a positive vision for every person in this country. Someone who will demonstrate the strength and wisdom needed to lead us through the worst storms.
“A leader who will stand up to the present threats against democracy…I am hopeful President Biden will step aside in his campaign for President.”
However, speaking at a rally on Friday in Michigan, Biden reiterated his commitment to be the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee.
He said: “I’m the nominee of this party because 14 million Democrats like you voted for me in the primaries.
“You made me the nominee, no one else. Not the press, not the pundits, not the insiders, not donors, you the voters. You decided, no one else, and I’m not going anywhere.”
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.