President Joe Biden’s younger brother said Sunday he believed the 81-year-old was dropping out of the race due to health concerns.
Frank Biden made comments to both CBS and ABC News, telling CBS that “in my humble opinion, absolutely,” the president’s health was part of Biden’s decision to announce he would not run for reelection, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris in the process.
“Selfishly, I’m going to bring him back to enjoy the time we have left,” Frank Biden told CBS.
He also told ABC News that the decision “comes down” to Biden’s “overall health and vitality,” but also to “defeating this genuine threat to our nation in the form of Donald Trump.”
But a Biden family source threw hot water on Frank’s claims. “Frank Biden suffers from alcoholism and has not spoken to his brother in weeks,” The source told CBS“What he said… is completely false.”
Frank Biden, the president’s younger brother, said he believed Biden dropped out of the race due to health problems.
The exchange with Frank came after Hunter Biden released a statement praising his father for being able to “absorb the pain of countless ordinary Americans” after dropping out of the presidential race.
The 54-year-old firstborn was spotted near his home in Los Angeles over the weekend before his father made the extraordinary decision to step aside and endorse Kamala Harris to take on Donald Trump in the November general election.
“That unconditional love has been his North Star as President and as a father. It is unique in public life today in that there is no distance between Joe Biden the man and Joe Biden the public servant of the past 54 years,” Hunter said in a statement Sunday night.
‘It’s unique in public life today in that there is no distance between Joe Biden the man and Joe Biden the public servant of the last 54 years.
“I am so lucky to be able to tell him every night that I love him and thank him. I ask all Americans to join me tonight in doing the same.
Thank you, Mr. President. I love you, Dad.
Biden’s move throws the presidential race into chaos but gives Democrats time to get their house in order before their August convention.
Hunter and his father speak by phone, and in the weeks since the disastrous debate he has been seen in meetings at the White House and with the president’s inner circle.
Joe Biden has stood by his troubled son through his many battles, including his crack addiction and the trial in which he was convicted on three federal gun charges, for which the president has vowed not to pardon him.
She joined the rest of Biden’s family, who immediately showed their support after he made the surprise announcement that he was dropping out of his re-election bid.
Jill Biden sent her love, retweeting her letter with two red hearts.
Naomi Biden, the Bidens’ eldest granddaughter, wrote a lengthy post on X, where she said she was “proud” of her “dad,” which is what the grandchildren call President Biden.
Biden, 81, who is suffering from COVID-19, is at his home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, with his wife Jill. They have taken refuge there with their closest advisers and have been reflecting on their political future.
He had been under enormous pressure from people in his party to resign after his terrible performance in the debate against Donald Trump.
“While it has been my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to resign and focus exclusively on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term,” he wrote in a letter to the American people.
The 54-year-old first son was spotted near his Los Angeles home over the weekend before his father made the extraordinary decision to step aside and endorse Kamala Harris to take on Donald Trump in the November general election.
His family, who influenced his decision, was at his side.
“Today I am so proud of my dad, our President, Joe Biden, who has served our country with all his being and with unmatched distinction. Not only has he been, and will continue to be, the most effective president of our lifetime, but he has probably already established himself as the most effective and influential public servant in our nation’s history,” Naomi Biden wrote on X.
“He has been at the center of, and has had a material impact on, literally every major issue our country and the world have faced for 50 years. Our world is better today in so many ways because of him. To the Americans who have always stood by him, keep the faith. He will always stand by us.”
Hunter and his father speak by phone, and in the weeks since the disastrous debate he has been seen in meetings at the White House and with the president’s inner circle.
Joe Biden has stood by his troubled son (pictured with wife Melissa Cohen) through his many battles, including his crack addiction and the trial in which he was convicted on three federal gun charges, for which the president has vowed not to pardon him.
Hunter Biden attends a Medal of Honor ceremony at the White House on July 3
The first son and his father are pictured on the tarmac at the Delaware Air National Guard base in New Castle, hours after Hunter was found guilty in his federal weapons trial.
Joe Biden has endorsed his vice president, Kamala Harris, to replace him as his nominee.
Democrats will nominate their candidate at their convention next month.
The Democratic National Convention is set to begin August 19-22 in Chicago, where Biden was scheduled to formally accept the nomination after receiving 3,896 delegates during the primaries.
Because Biden dropped out of the race before officially becoming the nominee, the more than 3,900 pledged delegates can cast their ballots at an open convention for the candidate of their choice. They can line up behind Harris, who, because of federal law, is the only candidate who can use money Biden has raised for the 2024 race. The delegates will cast a vote on the convention floor.
If a candidate wins a majority of pledged delegates on the first ballot, he or she becomes the party’s nominee.
If no candidate wins a majority, the nearly 740 superdelegates, also known as automatic delegates, which include party members and elected officials, can also vote.
Voting continues until one candidate receives a majority of delegates.
