Biden Says Sexism, Racism Hurt Harris Campaign/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Former President Joe Biden took partial responsibility for Donald Trump’s 2024 victory but attributed Kamala Harris’ loss to sexism and racism. In his first interview since leaving office, Biden defended his record and addressed concerns about age and party leadership. He also slammed Trump’s first 100 days as historically poor.
Biden Blames Bias for Harris Loss + Quick Looks
- Biden took “full responsibility” for Trump’s 2024 win but cited bias against Harris.
- He said critics unfairly claimed “a woman couldn’t lead the country.”
- Biden spoke publicly for the first time since leaving office in January.
- He rejected concerns about age and mental decline sparked by a debate performance.
- Jill Biden dismissed claims she shielded him from scrutiny while in office.
- Biden said Democratic elites—not the base—pushed him to exit the race.
- He harshly criticized Trump’s first 100 days as “the worst ever.”
Biden Says Sexism, Racism Hurt Harris Campaign
Deep Look
In his first public appearance since stepping down in January, former President Joe Biden said he bears responsibility for Donald Trump’s return to the White House—but placed part of the blame for Vice President Kamala Harris’ defeat on systemic racism and sexism.
“They went the sexist route,” Biden said Thursday on ABC’s “The View.” “They said a woman couldn’t lead this country—and a woman of mixed race, at that.”
The remarks came during a wide-ranging conversation marking Biden’s reemergence onto the national stage. The 82-year-old former president had intentionally refrained from commenting during Trump’s first 100 days, honoring a post-presidency tradition of silence. But now, Biden says he felt compelled to speak out as Harris weighs her political future.
“I was in charge, and he won, so I take responsibility,” Biden acknowledged, owning his role in the Democratic defeat.
Yet, Biden stressed that Harris faced an uphill battle rooted in longstanding societal biases, echoing sentiments from many Democrats and political analysts who have cited gender and race as central challenges to her campaign.
He also confirmed he remains in regular contact with Harris and has offered guidance as she considers her next moves: “She’s got a difficult decision to make. I hope she stays engaged.”
Age, Exit, and the Democratic Divide
Biden also addressed the elephant in the room: his age. Following a disastrous debate performance in 2024, concerns about his mental acuity dominated headlines. But Biden rejected the idea that those worries came from everyday voters.
“The Democratic leadership and some significant contributors didn’t believe in me after the debate,” Biden said, “but the broader party didn’t buy into the narrative.”
Ultimately, he stepped aside to preserve party unity. “The only reason I got out of the race was because I didn’t want to have a divided Democratic Party,” Biden said.
Jill Biden also appeared on “The View” in a rare joint interview. The former first lady forcefully denied speculation that she created a “cocoon” around her husband, limiting public exposure due to concerns about his age or performance.
“I was with Joe day and night,” she said. “He wasn’t hiding. You saw him in the Oval Office, making speeches. It was very hurtful to hear that—even from some of our so-called friends.”
Biden vs. Trump: No Love Lost
Biden didn’t mince words when discussing Trump’s early days in office, calling them “the worst 100 days any president has ever had.”
Though Biden has stepped away from frontline politics, he remains a vocal critic of Trump’s leadership and Republican priorities. Still, he acknowledged his political chapter may be closing as the Democratic Party transitions to a new generation of leaders.
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