Biden meets with his family members at Camp David
The White House on June 29 denied rumors that President Joe Biden returned to Camp David to consult his family members about the future of his re-election campaign.
The statement came after NBC News reported that the president had visited Camp David to meet with family members and decide whether to continue or end his campaign early due to growing concerns over his debate performance, citing five anonymous sources.
President Biden’s travel to Camp David was scheduled before the June 27 debate.
“The premise of the story is not accurate,” a Biden official told reporters on Saturday evening, referring to the NBC News report.
Officials said the Biden family would be taking a family photo at Camp David.
“We publicly announced the Camp David trip on 6/23, which NBC News apparently missed,” Andrew Bates, White House senior deputy press secretary and deputy assistant to the president, also wrote on X on Saturday evening.
We publicly announced the Camp David trip on 6/23, which @NBCNews apparently missed.
— Andrew Bates (@AndrewJBates46) June 30, 2024
Then they never came to us for comment about it at all.
I hope standards are not in decline. https://t.co/vlSwVZUxcg pic.twitter.com/DviHNDM7H4
“Then they never came to us for comment about it at all. I hope standards are not in decline,” Mr. Bates said.
Both the Biden and Trump campaigns have ramped up their efforts to raise funds after the debate, reaching out to voters with messages and emails.
President Biden’s campaign announced that it has raised $33 million since the debate, with nearly 80 percent of that coming from grassroots supporters.
Following the debate, President Biden also traveled to New York and New Jersey to raise funds in wealthy ZIP codes such as the Hamptons.
“I understand the concern about the debate. I get it. I didn’t have a great night,” President Biden told supporters on June 29 at a campaign reception in East Hampton.
“Voters had a different reaction than the pundits,” he said, noting that a number of polls indicated a minimal change in voters’ decisions.
During his speech, President Biden also mentioned the recent op-ed by The New York Times editorial board, which called on the Democratic incumbent to withdraw from the 2024 race.
By Emel Akan
