Jill Biden says Joe was ‘slowing down’ before abandoning 2024 bid

The comments come nearly two years after Joe Biden’s June 2024 debate against President Donald Trump, a performance that intensified questions about the then-81-year-old president’s age, stamina, and ability to serve another four-year term. 

During the debate, Joe Biden frequently lost his train of thought, stumbled over answers, and appeared hoarse, fueling concerns among voters and party leaders. 

Jill Biden told CBS correspondent Rita Braver she never saw signs of Joe Biden cognitively declining. 

The former first lady said she was “vigilant” about her husband’s health, adding that his stage IV prostate cancer was missed by White House doctors. 

“Well, you know the doctors said that, according to the American Urological Association, that men over 70 don’t need a PSA, a blood test, anymore because it’s a slow-growing cancer,” she said. “I do feel we had amazing care in the White House, but somehow that was missed.”

A preview of Jill Biden’s interview with Braver was released Wednesday, showing a clip of the former first lady saying she was “frightened” by her husband’s debate performance, claiming she thought he was having a stroke. She said she thought the former president would “rally” and be fine.

“But he got in there, he got into the debate, and he didn’t,” she said. 

Her admission marked a reversal of her public defense of Joe Biden following the debate, where she praised him for doing a “great job” and for “knowing all the facts.” After his performance, party leaders, donors, and elected officials increasingly questioned whether Joe Biden could defeat Trump. 

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She said it was “hurtful” to hear calls for her husband to step down, adding that she was asked to step in, but declined, saying it “had to be his decision.” 

“I mean, when you love somebody, and you see people attacking them, I mean, it’s hard,” Jill Biden said.