Julia Ioffe shares exclusive details on Joe Biden's tense Zoom call with House Democrats at the Aspen Security Conference. They discuss concerns over a potential second Trump presidency, Biden's national security issues, and comparison of his stability with Trump and JD Vance's unpredictability.
Biden's demeanor resembling Trump's during Zoom call with House Democrats
Concerns at Aspen Security Conference about Biden's ability in global relations compared to Trump or Vance
Deep dives
President Biden's Heated Zoom Call with House Democrats
President Biden had a tense Zoom call with House Democrats, especially with Congressman Jason Crow, where Biden's demeanor was described as Trumpian. The call revealed ongoing concerns about Biden's candidacy, with members expressing frustration over his rambling and dismissive behavior, particularly towards Crow's queries about national security.
Reactions to Biden's Performance and Internal Democratic Concerns
Biden's underwhelming performances and internal Democratic polling indicating his decline in battleground states have led to Adam Schiff suggesting Biden should drop out, reflecting growing concern within the party about his candidacy. Biden's defensive and self-aggrandizing responses to criticism highlight his challenges in conveying a coherent message and maintaining support within the party, as calls for him to step aside gain traction.
Aspen Security Conference and Global Concerns
The annual Aspen Security Conference discussion reflected anxiety over the shift in global order following Donald Trump and JD Vance's potential influence. Participants expressed worries about Biden's ability to maintain stability and cooperation in foreign relations, contrasting his familiarity with the established system to the unpredictability and potential disruption associated with a Trump or Vance-led administration, particularly in handling issues like Ukraine.
Julia Ioffe rings up Peter Hamby from the grounds of the Aspen Security Conference to discuss her exclusive reporting on Joe Biden’s tense Zoom call with House Democrats, before revealing the anxiety swirling around the conference over the specter of a second Trump presidency.