In his first major interview since leaving office, former President Joe Biden resurfaced from political obscurity to speak with BBC’s Nick Robinson—only to be pressed on one of the most controversial decisions of his presidency: his delayed exit from the 2024 race.
Robinson wasted no time getting to the core issue that still haunts many Democrats: “Do you regret not dropping out earlier to give someone else a better chance to beat Trump?”
The question zeroed in on what party insiders view as a pivotal mistake that paved the way for Donald Trump’s second term—and sealed Kamala Harris’s defeat.
Biden Defends the Timing: “It Wouldn’t Have Mattered”
Biden pushed back against the suggestion that he waited too long to bow out:
“I don’t think it would have mattered,” he told Robinson, arguing that Harris was “fully funded” and positioned to win.
He cited his administration’s accomplishments and the momentum of his agenda as reasons he struggled to step aside:
“What we had set out to do, no one thought we could do… I had become so successful, it was hard to walk away.”
No Regrets—At Least Publicly
When asked directly if he had any regrets, Biden remained stoic.
“No, I think it was the right decision. It was just a difficult decision,” he said, dodging the emotional weight many in his party still carry from the crushing loss.
But behind his carefully worded response, critics hear echoes of indecision and self-preservation—a president who may have overstayed his welcome and left his party unprepared for political war.
A Party Still Reeling
Biden’s July 2024 withdrawal left Democrats scrambling. Despite endorsements and emergency fundraising efforts, Kamala Harris failed to unite the base or energize swing-state voters in time. Many within the DNC blame Biden’s indecisiveness for the unraveling of their campaign.
Now, as Trump charts a dramatic second term, Biden’s refusal to express remorse may further widen the rift within an already fractured party.
