Biden had rambling Zoom call with dozens of Dems ‘worse than the debate’ shortly before Trump assassination attempt: report
President Biden held a “tense” Zoom call with dozens of moderate Democrats that was “even worse than the debate” — less than an hour before the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, a new report says.
The 81-year-old president repeatedly lost his train of thought on the call and was dismissive of the Democrats’ concerns about his 2024 re-election campaign following his train-wreck debate performance last month, Puck reported Wednesday, citing multiple sources.
“The call was even worse than the debate. He was rambling; he’d start an answer then lose his train of thought, then would just say ‘whatever.’ He really couldn’t complete an answer. I lost a ton of respect for him,” one person on the call said.
“The president was rambling, dismissive of concerns, unable or unprepared to present a campaign strategy,” added a second source, who is a member of Congress.
The sniper attack on Trump at his campaign rally in Butler, Pa., essentially stopped the Democrats from leaking details of the call and coming out publicly against him, that source added.
“Had the assassination attempt not occurred an hour later, I imagine 50 people on that Zoom were ready to come out publicly against him,” the member of Congress said.
In one particularly testy exchange, sources recalled Biden ripping into Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.) after the congressman had asked him about the importance of national security to voters.
“First of all, I think you’re dead wrong on national security,” Biden told him, according to a recording of the call.
“You saw what happened recently in terms of the meeting we had with NATO. I put NATO together. Name me a foreign leader who thinks I’m not the most effective leader in the world on foreign policy. Tell me!” he continued.
“Tell me who did something that you’ve never done with your Bronze Star like my son.”
Biden ended the Zoom just after 5 p.m. after telling his fellow Democrats he had to go to church, those on the call said.
The Biden campaign, however, has pushed back on the suggestion that the commander-in-chief was rambling throughout the call.
Here’s the latest on the assassination attempt against Donald Trump:
Would-be Trump assassin Thomas Crooks visited gun range dozens of times — including Christmas — for ‘intense preparation’- Newly surfaced texts show Trump rally gunman was on authorities’ radar more than 90 minutes before shooting: report
- FBI to conduct victim interview with Donald Trump after assassination attempt
- Ex-Trump doc says FBI’s Wray is ‘wrong’ to doubt ex-prez was struck by bullet: ‘Absolutely no evidence’
- Trump defends female Secret Service agent who was criticized after assassination attempt: ‘So brave’
“Just in the past week, the president has met with Democratic leaders in both chambers and numerous congressional groups to solicit their feedback and answer their questions,” a campaign official said.
“Engagement with House and Senate members is ongoing, and the campaign will continue to have candid and robust conversations with congressional offices.”
