In a private lunch meeting at the White House, former President Barack Obama reportedly cautioned President Joe Biden about the formidable political opponent he faces in Donald Trump.
Obama privately warns Biden that Democrats are underestimating Trump's political strength: Report https://t.co/rOUZp66xl5
— TheBlaze (@theblaze) August 3, 2023
According to the Washington Post, Obama urged Biden not to underestimate Trump, emphasizing his political strengths and the challenges Democrats may encounter.
Obama’s concerns reportedly lie in Trump’s loyal following, backed by a conservative media ecosystem that favors him and a deeply divided country that remains polarized. These factors led Obama to warn that Trump “could be a more formidable candidate than many Democrats realize.”
While Obama said he was not worried about Biden’s political strength, he reportedly pointed to Trump’s solid influence in the Republican Party.
In light of these concerns, Obama pledged his unwavering support to ensure Biden’s re-election. Per the Washington Post, the commitment was made as the president sought the support of top Democrats.
The former president is set to join the campaign trail in the fall, standing side-by-side with Biden as he seeks the support he needs to win in 2024 and serve the second term.
According to his aides, his role in the upcoming election will not be different from those in recent elections.
In response to his promise of support, the Biden campaign stated, “President Biden is grateful for his unwavering support, and looks forward to once again campaigning side-by-side with President Obama to win in 2024 and finish the job for the American people.”
While Biden’s job approval ratings have faced criticism, and some polls hold him accountable for economic woes, Obama’s warning resonates strongly. Various surveys measuring a potential 2024 rematch between Biden and Trump consistently show the two contenders in a statistical tie. Some polls even place Trump ahead, while some give Biden the winning edge.
Earlier this week, a New York Times poll emphasized the competitiveness of this potential match-up should Trump secure the GOP nomination. Among registered voters, Biden and Trump are deadlocked at 43%, showing that Trump’s legal challenges do not exactly build a wall between the former president and the White House.