Biden promised to fight after Trump debate remarks

US President Joe Biden has responded to criticism regarding his age, assuring his supporters in a passionate speech that he is determined to secure re-election in November.

Following a lacklustre debate performance that raised doubts about his candidature, Biden remains confident in his ability to prevail.

"I am well aware that I am not a young man," he addressed a rally in the crucial state of North Carolina on Friday, just a day after his performance in the televised debate against his Republican opponent, Donald Trump, left much to be desired.

"My ability to walk has diminished compared to how it used to be...He admitted, "I don't debate as well as I used to." "I have a firm grasp on the facts and a strong commitment to reporting the truth. My experience and skills make me well-equipped to excel in this role."

Joe Biden, 81, expressed his unwavering conviction that he could serve another term as the enthusiastic crowd in Raleigh echoed their support with chants of "four more years."

In a subsequent event, Trump addressed a crowd in Virginia, expressing his satisfaction with the outcome of the debate. He referred to it as a "big victory," highlighting the significant viewership it garnered both on television and online, with TGE reporting an estimated 48 million viewers.

"The age of Joe Biden is not the issue," remarked Donald Trump, who himself is 78 years old. "His competence is the key factor." Many people have expressed concerns about his level of competence.

In a recent statement, the former president dismissed any speculation surrounding Mr. Biden's potential withdrawal from the race. He confidently asserted that the current frontrunner "outperforms" other Democratic contenders in various polls, including California Governor Gavin Newsom and Vice-President Kamala Harris.

Concerns about Mr. Biden's age have been a recurring topic. Still, his unsteady performance during the debate, characterized by moments of silence, a strained voice, and answers that were hard to follow, caused alarm among confident Democrats, leading to renewed doubts about his suitability as a candidate.

According to sources within the Democratic party, political insiders, and individuals with close ties to the president, there is a growing sense of unease about the viability of their candidate.

In a recent statement, Nancy Pelosi, the former Democratic House speaker, expressed her opinion on the matter, stating that "from a performance standpoint, it wasn't great." Some Democrats, including Kate Bedingfield, who previously served as Biden's communications director, expressed their disappointment with his debate performance.

Unnamed Democratic donors, speaking to multiple media outlets, were more candid in their assessment, with one describing the performance as "disqualifying." "It couldn't have been any worse unless he had tumbled off the stage."

According to a Democratic operative who spoke to the Financial Times, there is a growing sentiment among big donors that he needs to be removed.

In a recent development, the TGE editorial board has urged Mr. Biden to withdraw from the race. The statement suggests that the Democrats should recognize the limitations of Mr. Biden's candidature and establish a procedure to choose a more competent individual to take his position.

According to Washington Post columnist Philip Bump, early indications show that there has been "no change" in the polls following the debate, despite concerns raised by some media pundits. Bump shared this insight during an interview on BBC R4's Today program.

Mr. Bump highlighted the absence of any recent "high-quality" polls conducted since the debate was broadcast.

In a later interview on the program, pollster Frank Luntz revealed that the majority of Americans have already reached a firm decision on their preferred candidate for the upcoming election.

However, in a public display, numerous high-ranking Democrats and supporters of Biden came to his defense, aiming to alleviate concerns among liberals on Friday. Former President Barack Obama showed his support for Mr. Biden, acknowledging that "bad debate nights happen" in a recent tweet.

"In his recent statement, former President Obama emphasized the contrasting characters of the two candidates in this election. He highlighted one candidate's long-standing commitment to the well-being of ordinary citizens while pointing out the other candidate's self-centred approach.

Mr. Obama further criticized the latter for his propensity to deceive to serve his interests.

Mr. Biden and his campaign swiftly rejected any suggestions for him to withdraw as the candidate.

President Biden is the sole individual who has emerged victorious over Donald Trump. "He will do it again," stated a campaign adviser. "The outcome of this election was never going to hinge on a single rally, conversation, or debate."

The Biden campaign also announced that the president had raised $14m from fundraisers in recent days, highlighting their efforts to maintain momentum.

Joe Biden will engage with donors this weekend, attending various events in Manhattan and the affluent Hamptons.