Americans are weighing a future led by President Kamala Harris, after President Joe Biden made a series of public speaking gaffes, sparking growing rumors about invoking the 25th Amendment.
The president alarmed Democrats and Republicans alike after a messy news conference Thursday, in which he insisted that “my memory is fine,” even as he mistakenly referred to Egypt’s president as Mexico’s president.
‘I think Vice President Harris directly became a topic of debate in this election today. She was already getting to that point and now she’s even more important,” CNN commentator Scott Pressler said on air Thursday night.
The 25th Amendment, which outlines presidential succession, gives the vice president and Cabinet the power to remove the commander in chief from office by majority vote if he is determined to be no longer fit for office.
It has never been invoked in American history.
Vice President Kamala Harris speaks with President Joe Biden at his campaign headquarters in Delaware.
Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at the Biden for President 2024 campaign headquarters on February 3, 2024 in Wilmington, Delaware.
Others shared similar concerns online.
“This is exactly why the 25th Amendment exists,” Rep. William Timmons (R.S.C.) wrote in X. “But even Democrats know that the only thing worse than a Biden presidency is a Kamala Harris presidency “.
“The only thing stopping them from invoking the 25th Amendment is Kamala Harris,” former Wisconsin Republican Gov. Scott Walker wrote in X.
As the campaign approaches, Biden and his team have made more public efforts to show their support for their vice president despite keeping their distance during the first three years of his presidency.
“Let me say that we are really fortunate to have a real leader, a real friend and a historic vice president, Kamala Harris,” Biden said Tuesday at a reception in recognition of Black History Month.
‘Not only did I ask him to join me; I love her,’ she continued with a smile as she squeezed his hand. “It’s a good relationship.”
In the past, Biden’s team has quietly expressed reservations about Harris, but knows they can’t replace her on the ticket without angering a significant portion of his base.
On Thursday morning, Biden’s social media team extended a rare post about X warmly praising Harris, adding, “We couldn’t do this without you, Kamala.”
Harris’ approval ratings continue to decline, as an NBC poll conducted in January found that 53% of voters view her negatively. Only 28 percent of voters view it positively.
Journalist Victoria Brownworth attempted to reassure American voters about X, urging them to embrace Harris.
‘The answer to all the ‘Biden is old!’ The statement should be “Yes, but not Kamala Harris.” People forget that every presidency is a team effort. Yes, the POTUS makes the final decisions, but the Constitution provided a vice president and a cabinet because the job is too big for one person,” he wrote in X.
“Congratulations to Kamala Harris, or should I say Madam President,” wrote Dave Rubin of the Rubin Report on X.
Conservative figures expressed alarm as videos of Biden’s disastrous press conference spread on social media platforms.
‘America’s Biggest Nightmare: Kamala Harris Will Become President!’ wrote Fox News contributor Leo Terrell.
Others joked that Harris was secretly sabotaging Biden.
“Sources tell me Kamala Harris has a big smile on her face,” former President Donald Trump’s former White House press secretary Sean Spicer wrote on X.
“Kamala Harris in the greenhouse with the wrench,” Daily Wire host Ben Shapiro wrote on X.
Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy reaffirmed that Biden would not be the Democratic candidate in the November presidential election.
‘I said it last year and I’ll say it again: Biden will not be the Democratic nominee. Now he’s starting to be more obvious,” he wrote on X.