Until Sunday afternoon, calls for US President Joe Biden to step down fell on death ears. President Biden was confident he could win again. However, some former celebrity-supporters were not convinced and wanted him to drop out.
Biden’s poor performance against Trump last month in a debate raised doubts about his ability to run for re-election in November 2024.
Check out the list of celebrities who asked Biden to drop out of the coming elections and why.
George Stephanopoulos: On Tuesday, Stephanopoulos, dressed casually in a T-shirt, shorts, and headphones, was strolling through New York City when a passerby stopped him and asked for his honest opinion on President Biden’s ability to serve another term. Stephanopoulos, who had just conducted an interview with Biden days earlier, responded frankly,
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“I doubt he can handle four more years in office.”
George Clooney: The acclaimed actor penned a piece in The New York Times asserting that Democrats require a new candidate. While acknowledging Biden’s integrity and principles, he lamented his inability to overcome the constraints of time.
Ashley Judd: On July 12, the actress and political activist also wrote a detailed op-ed in USA Today, urging President Biden to withdraw from the presidential race and emphasizing that defeating Trump is of utmost importance. She asserted that Biden’s performance in the debate showed he is incapable of effectively countering Trump’s rhetoric, necessitating an end to his candidacy. She also appealed to the Democratic Party to act swiftly, expressing appreciation for Biden’s contributions while requesting his withdrawal before it’s too late.
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Michael Douglas: Michael Douglas, a supporter of President Biden, shared his concerns on an episode of “The View”, echoing George Clooney’s sentiments. “I’m extremely worried,” Douglas said. “The Democratic Party has a strong lineup of candidates, a wealth of talent, but I question the team’s ability to prepare Biden for debates.” He continued, “While I’m not too concerned about the short-term, I worry about the long-term implications, a year from now.
Stephen King: The author tweeted that, although Biden has been a competent president, it is expedient for America’s well-being that he declines to seek reelection.
Rob Reiner: The esteemed director tweeted a dire warning: if Trump wins, American democracy will perish. He also declared that, despite Biden’s distinguished service, it is imperative for him to relinquish his position. This call came barely a week after he hosted a fundraising event in support of Vice President Kamala Harris.
Damon Lindelof: The innovative creator of “Lost” wrote a candid column in Deadline, urging Biden’s departure and a Democratic awakening. He also exhorted others to withhold funding until the party revamps its leadership.
Reed Hastings: The Netflix cofounder emailed The New York Times, stating that Biden must yield to enable a robust Democratic leader to defeat Trump and ensure the nation’s security and prosperity.
Abigail Disney: The Disney heir has threatened to cut off funding to the Democratic Party unless President Biden withdraws from the presidential race, stating that she will not contribute any additional donations until he exits the contest. In a recent CNBC interview, Disney emphasized that this is about facing reality, not showing disrespect. She acknowledged that Biden is a decent person who has devoted himself to public service, but stressed that the circumstances are too critical to prioritize personal considerations.
Michael Moore: The filmmaker accused Democrats of perpetrating “elder exploitation” by pressuring Biden to persist in his election bid.
In addition to these celebrities, 30 Democratic representatives asked President Biden to step down from the 2024 elections.
