Donors’ Close Watch on President Biden’s Performance

Donors are closely monitoring President Biden’s upcoming news conference at the NATO summit to gauge his performance in the midst of mounting pressure and challenges.

A Challenging 24 Hours

President Biden and his supporters find themselves in a challenging position following recent events that have intensified scrutiny on the administration. Despite efforts to address concerns after the debate debacle, new developments have added to the pressure on the campaign.

• Resistance Within Democratic Ranks: Some Democratic lawmakers, including Representative Nancy Pelosi, have shown reluctance to fully support Biden. Pelosi’s remarks on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” underscored the urgency for the president to make decisive moves, surprising White House officials.
• Call for Withdrawal: Senator Peter Welch of Vermont became the first Democratic senator to openly call for Biden to withdraw, citing the unforgettable nature of the debate performance and the potential consequences of a Trump return to power.
• Critical Words from George Clooney: Renowned actor George Clooney, who co-hosted a significant fund-raiser for Biden, expressed direct criticism of the president’s debate performance in a guest essay for The Times, indicating concerns beyond just a single event.
• Concerns Surrounding Jeffrey Katzenberg: Jeffrey Katzenberg, the Biden campaign co-chairman, faces accusations from donors for allegedly downplaying the president’s health issues. His efforts to reassure donors, including Clooney, have faced challenges amid the current scrutiny.

These developments pose further challenges for the Biden administration as they navigate a complex political landscape.