President Biden utilized the conclusion of the NATO summit to deliver a scathing critique of Donald J. Trump’s dismissal of the significance of alliances. He also announced, for the first time, a strategy to disrupt the escalating military and technological collaboration between Russia and China.
In a comprehensive news conference, observers waited to see how he handled questions about his age and sharpness. While Mr. Biden encountered some stumbling at the outset, he maintained a resilient stance against criticisms of his suitability to continue his campaign.
Highlights from Biden’s News Conference
- President Biden held an hourlong news conference with reporters, displaying defiance in the face of doubts about his fitness to lead.
- During the conference, he emphasized his belief in Vice President Harris’s capabilities and dismissed concerns regarding her potential to defeat Donald Trump.
- Despite mixing up presidents Zelensky and Putin, Mr. Biden defended his leadership, asserting that his conference had not damaged America’s global standing.
- He addressed the relationship between China and Russia, cautioning China against supporting Russia militarily, and expressed support for Israel while advocating for a two-state solution.
- When asked about reconsidering his candidacy based on potential matchups against Trump, Mr. Biden affirmed his confidence in his ability to win, citing past success against the former president.
Furthermore, the news conference provided a platform for President Biden to showcase his expertise in foreign policy. He detailed his decisions during his tenure, marked by conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
President Biden took credit for alerting the Europeans to the looming invasion of Ukraine in late 2021 and early 2022, and for ensuring NATO’s readiness to provide military aid and intelligence once the conflict erupted. He seized the opportunity to remind the American public that Trump’s initial response to the invasion was to commend President Putin, sarcastically mimicking Trump’s words: “It was genius. It was wonderful.”
