I could have won re-election – Biden

Outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden expressed confidence in his chances of winning re-election had he remained in the race, though he acknowledged uncertainties about serving another full term.

In an interview with USA Today published Wednesday, the 82-year-old Democrat reflected on his decision to step aside and his legacy as the oldest president in U.S. history.

“I really thought I had the best chance of beating [Donald Trump],” Biden said, citing internal polling. “But I wasn’t looking to be president when I was 85 or 86 years old. So I did talk about passing the baton.”

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Biden’s decision followed a challenging tenure marked by questions about his age and a faltering televised debate against Trump, which raised concerns about his fitness for another term.

Despite withdrawing from the race, Biden dismissed speculation about regrets, instead lamenting the slow pace of infrastructure projects and the spread of misinformation during his presidency.

Reflecting on his legacy, Biden highlighted his efforts to rebuild the post-pandemic economy and restore American global leadership. “I hope history records that I did it with honesty and integrity,” he said.

Biden also confirmed he had considered preemptive pardons to safeguard individuals potentially targeted by Trump’s return to office. He revealed advising Trump during their post-election meeting not to pursue revenge against perceived adversaries, calling such actions “counterintuitive.”