It was the saddest moment of the night: Jill Biden walked up to her husband, Joe, at the end of the debate. When President Trump walked away alone, Jill took Joe’s hand and led him slowly. He took a few stiff steps from the podium to the edge of the stage. Then she helped Joe walk down the fourth and fifth steps in front. stairs so he could speak with CNN debate moderators Dana Bash and Jake Tapper.
renew: Image posted by Jason Miller of the Trump campaign:
Video clip posted by Greg Price.
OMFG
Jill Biden must lead Joe Biden off the debate stage. pic.twitter.com/lgzC9ZSt4K
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) June 28, 2024
A close-up version shows Joe Biden clearly having trouble taking the first step. He swung one stiff leg down as Jill hugged him tightly:
Zoom into the video of Jill Biden leading Joe off the debate stage.
Go crazy. pic.twitter.com/QJhkfetdWz
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) June 28, 2024
The Biden campaign told reporters midway through the debate that Joe had been suffering from a cold for the past few days. Joe was reportedly quarantined while preparing for a debate at Camp David last week, but he stood for ninety minutes getting ready for the debate.
NEW: “President Biden has a cold,” two sources familiar with the situation say.
— Kelly O’Donnell (@KellyO) June 28, 2024
On Thursday morning, the Trump campaign released a video warning that Joe’s weakened condition could lead to Kamala Harris taking office in his place:
Trump campaign releases new ad – “Who’s Laughing” pic.twitter.com/eDnSJVUH6S
— Team Trump (Text TRUMP to 88022) (@TeamTrump) June 27, 2024
Former Biden White House press secretary Jen Psaki told MSNBC after the debate that the winning campaign would not send the vice president out immediately after the debate to promote:
JEN PSAKI: “Typically, if you win the debate, you don’t send the vice president of the United States out.”
When MSNBC chyron pointed out that Kamala Harris was about to appear, he said… pic.twitter.com/VSBm8lZiHD
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) June 28, 2024
Harris also went on CNN to clean up the debate, saying, “It’s a slow start.”
More from Vice President Kamala Harris on Biden’s debate performance:
ANDERSON COOPER: Obviously you can’t honestly say, I mean, can you say that you weren’t worried at all watching the president’s performance tonight?
Harris: “It was a slow start. It was obvious to everyone — …
— Susan Crabtree (@susanscrabtree) June 28, 2024
