Democratic Party donors such as Reed Hastings, founder of Netflix, and Bill Harris, former CEO of Paypal, said this Sunday (7.Jul.2024) that they are concerned about United States President Joe Biden’s ability to lead the country. After Biden’s interview with George Stephanopoulos on ABC News on Friday, July 5, 2024, businesspeople began asking him to give up trying for re-election.
Hastings openly criticized the American president’s mental condition. “Unfortunately, Biden is in denial about his mental state. He needs to step aside to allow a vigorous Democratic leader to defeat Trump,” Reed Hastings said.
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The concern was due to Biden’s age, 81 years old, his capacity for a second term after several embarrassing episodes, his performance in the debate with his opponent Donald Trump (Republicans), and, above all, his stance during the interview at ABC News.
The broadcaster spoke with Harris, from Paypal, shortly after the interview with Biden. The businessman noted that the president “looked old.” Harris, who gave US$620,000 to the Biden Victory Fund in 2020, saw Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential contest as likely. “Inevitable”
DONORS WANT RENEWAL
Donors want a broad debate in the Democratic Party about renewal and leadership. To this end, Harris started a political action committee (PAC), Democrats for the Next Generation, pledging US$2 million to support debates between potential Democratic candidates if Biden withdraws.
Whitney Tilson, a longtime Democratic investor and donor, expressed her doubts about Biden’s ability to secure a victory against Donald Trump, indicating that even a successful interview would not sway her opinion.
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Los Angeles billionaire and real estate mogul Rick Caruso has publicly called for Biden’s resignation, calling it the “right and honorable thing” to do in this critical election period. Hollywood producer Damon Lindelof has chosen to withhold new donations until a change is made at the top of the ticket.
Despite growing concerns, President Biden has rejected the idea of quitting. “Not you anywhere,” he said on Friday, July 5, 2024.
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