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ABC News has pushed forward the release of a crucial interview with President Joe Biden amid reported uncertainty over the future of his re-election campaign, the New York Post reports.
Biden's interview with anchor George Stephanopoulos, the former communications director for the 1992 presidential campaign of Bill Clinton, who later served as White House communications director and senior advisor for policy and strategy, was planned to be released in scattered parts before its initially scheduled release in full on Sunday (July 7), but will instead air as a full-length primetime special on Friday (July 5) at 8:00 p.m.
A preview of the interview will also air during the broadcast of World News Tonight with David Muir airing at 6:30 p.m. The change comes reports of uncertainty regarding the president's re-election campaign as a top campaign official reportedly told at least one megadonor that Biden's withdrawal from the 2024 election is "only a matter of time" privately according to TMZ.
The official reportedly said that focus has shifted from singular support of the president's re-election to "Democrats have to retain The White House" following Biden's disastrous performance in the first presidential debate against Trump. Harris is reportedly the most likely person to step in as the Democratic nominee due to funds raised by the Biden-Harris campaign.
Biden, 81, the oldest president in history, appeared opposite Trump, on the debate stage for the first time since the 2020 election and did little to quell concerns about his vigor and energy. The president appeared to struggle with his voice, clearing his throat and coughing multiple times, and was often seen open-mouthed and staring when Trump spoke, occasionally struggling to finish sentences.
Biden's performance reportedly led to "panic" among Democrats, according to longtime Democratic operative and CNN senior political commentator David Axelrod.
“He seemed a little disoriented. He did get stronger as the debate went on. But by that time, I think the panic had set in,” Axelrod said, adding that "there are going to be discussions about whether he should continue.”