ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos was caught on camera on Tuesday giving a brutal assessment of President Joe Biden’s reelection chances, saying that the 81-year-old executive likely cannot last another four years in office. The comment, for which both Stephanopoulos and ABC News have apologized, came just days after the anchor hosted a televised interview with the president, further fueling calls for Biden to forgo a second term.
In a video first obtained by TMZ, an unidentified man approaches Stephanopoulos on the street and asks for comment on Biden’s condition.
“Do you think Biden should step down?” the person recording asked. “You’ve talked to him more than anybody else has lately.”
“I don’t think he can serve four more years,” Stephanopoulos replied.
“You don’t think he can serve four more years?” the questioner repeated. “All right, that’s an answer.”
#GeorgeStephanopoulos just made a STUNNING comment: he told someone on the streets of #NewYork that he doesn't think President #JoeBiden can serve another term! https://t.co/cFMK2Uxx4z pic.twitter.com/pxKkolFcGt
— TMZ (@TMZ) July 9, 2024
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Following the release of the video on social media, Stephanopoulos contacted the gossip outlet to apologize for his remarks.
“Earlier today, I responded to a question from a passerby. I shouldn’t have,” he said. (He notably did not retract the statement, but simply said he should not have shared it in public.)
A representative for ABC News further confirmed that “George expressed his own point of view and not the position of ABC News.”
Following this video George Stephanopoulos told us, "Earlier today, I responded to a question from a passerby. I shouldn't have." An ABC spokesperson tells TMZ, "George expressed his own point of view and not the position of ABC News."
— TMZ (@TMZ) July 10, 2024
On Friday, Stephanopoulos hosted a pivotal interview with Biden, during which he pressed the president to address questions about his mental and physical health following his disastrous debate performance the week before. After seeing Biden’s weak, halting presentation on the debate stage, mainstream media outlets and certain Democratic lawmakers began floating the idea of replacing him on the presidential ticket for his party.
In response to these calls for his withdrawal, Biden firmly stated that he intends to run as the Democratic candidate and told the members of his party to “end the drama.” He similarly emphasized this point during his interview with Stephanopoulos.
Connor Walcott is a staff writer for Valuetainment.com. Follow Connor on X and look for him on VT’s “The Unusual Suspects.”
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