NBC News host Lester Holt asked President Joe Biden if he has “repented” for his escalating rhetoric following the assassination attempt on 2024 Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.
Trump was grazed in the ear by a bullet at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, despite calling on America to “lower the political temperature” in a primetime Oval Office segment on Sunday. addressBiden became defensive when pressed by Holt about comments that could incite violence.
“Have you taken a step back and reflected on any comments you made that may have offended some people?” Holt asked.
“Well, I don't think so… how do you talk about the threat to democracy, which is real, when the president says things like he does? Do you not say anything because it might provoke someone?” Biden replied.
“I, I … [unintelligible] “We will suspend the sentences of all those arrested and sentenced to incarceration as a result of the events that occurred at the Capitol.”
Joe Biden has completely retracted his Oval Office speech from last night, essentially claiming that Donald Trump incited violence against him.
This is yet another inflammatory rhetoric.
I'm not surprised he didn't last 24 hours. pic.twitter.com/ZAqSNDlBhM
— Joey Mannarino (@JoeyMannarinoUS) July 15, 2024
In March, Trump opposed the relocation of auto jobs to other countries under a Biden administration, saying the country would be a “catastrophe.” Democrats took his comments out of context and falsely claimed he was referring to what would happen if Trump lost the election. (Related article: 'I should have died': Donald Trump reflects on 'very surreal' near-death experience)
Biden on Friday Campaign Event In Detroit, the president said Trump was “crazy” and “losing his temper” and claimed the Republican candidate was “refusing” to say whether he would accept the results of the 2024 election.
“Mr. Trump said that if he wins, he's going to be a dictator from day one. I mean it,” Biden told the crowd on Friday. “I can't allow that. I can't allow that!”
Just watch 40 seconds of this guy's speech yesterday. It's incredible.
Another bloody hoax. “I don't care if I die.”
America has been subjected to five years of this man's relentless lies, fabrications and divisive rhetoric. pic.twitter.com/vgT5ALR14l
— MAZE (@mazemoore) July 13, 2024
During a private conference call on July 8, Biden said his “only job” was “to defeat Donald Trump” and that “it's time to put Trump at the center of the target.” Politico Holt reportedly pressed Biden about his comments, but Biden argued that his comments were intended to focus on what Trump “was saying.”
“Let's talk about the debate this has sparked. It's about words, what we say out loud and the consequences,” Holt began. “In a call a week ago, you called your opponent an 'existential threat.' You said, 'It's time to put Trump at the center of the target.' We can disagree on the context, but I think you get it.”
“I didn't say targeting,” Biden responded. “I was talking about focus. In fact, I think what I was saying at the time was that there was very little focus on Trump's policies.”
“Yes, the word was 'bullseye,'” Holt corrected.
“It was a mistake to use that word,” Biden said. “I didn't say crosshairs. I said bullseye, focus on him.”
Biden's interview with Holt comes as the president seeks to attest to his mental health and as Democrats step up pressure on him to abandon his reelection bid following his poor performance in the June 27 debate.
