Hillary Clinton calls Biden’s 2024 bid a ‘terrible mistake,’ says Dems could have defeated Trump

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sharply criticized former President Joe Biden’s decision to seek reelection in 2024, describing it as a “terrible mistake” that damaged his legacy and weakened the Democratic Party’s chances against President Donald Trump.

Speaking at an event in New York, Clinton argued that Biden should have followed through on earlier indications that he would serve as a bridge to a new generation of leaders. She suggested that an open Democratic primary would likely have produced a nominee capable of defeating Trump.

Clinton says Biden abandoned plan to pass leadership to a new generation

During the discussion, Clinton reflected on Biden’s decision to remain in the race despite concerns about his age and electability. “He made a terrible mistake,” Clinton said. “He made a terrible mistake for himself, his legacy, and for the country.”

Clinton pointed to Biden’s remarks during the 2020 campaign, when he was widely viewed as a transitional figure who would help usher in a new generation of Democratic leadership. 

“He had said that he would not run again,” Clinton said, adding that while “counterfactual narratives are always a bit tricky,” she believed a different course would have benefited the party.

According to Clinton, if Biden had announced in late 2023 that he would not seek a second term, Democrats could have held a competitive nomination contest.

“But I believe if he had kept to that plan and said, in, say, the late summer of '23, that he wasn't going to run, that he was going to pass, you know, the torch to the next generation, we would have had a real contest,” she said.

“We would have had a real contest,” Clinton added. “And very sadly, I believe whoever emerged from that contest, whether it was the vice president or a governor or a senator or anybody else, would have beaten Donald Trump.”

Clinton says Biden’s late exit left Democrats in a difficult position

Clinton also criticized the timing of Biden’s withdrawal from the race following his widely scrutinized debate performance against Trump in June 2024.

After months of mounting pressure from Democratic lawmakers, donors, and party officials, Biden ended his campaign on July 21, 2024, and endorsed then-Vice President Kamala Harris. Harris ultimately became the Democratic nominee with just 107 days remaining before Election Day.

“Once he didn't move and did not admit that he had said he was going to step aside and decided not to and held on for as long as he did, we were in a terrible dilemma,” Clinton said.

She argued that Biden’s prolonged presence in the race limited the party’s ability to prepare an alternative candidate and left Harris with little time to build a national campaign.

Her remarks stand in contrast to her public support during the campaign, including after Biden’s debate performance sparked calls for him to step aside. In 2023, Clinton said that she supported Biden seeking another term if he chose to do so, saying, “I think he’s done a really terrific job.”