Joe Biden Responds to Headline-Making Press Conference Flub, Donald Trump's 'Big Boy' Jab

In his first solo press conference since his June debate performance, Biden repeatedly insisted he will remain in the 2024 presidential race

President Joe Biden delivered a solo press conference on Thursday, June 11 — his first since the disastrous June 27 presidential debate with rival Donald Trump that has rocked his 2024 reelection campaign.

In what might once have been a run-of-the-mill press conference recapping this week's Ukraine-centered NATO Summit, the 81-year-old Democrat entered the room with a secondary, more difficult task: to convince the American people that he is the only one capable of defeating Trump in November.

During the conference and at an event before, he spoke in depth about his work to protect NATO and his plans for a second term. But he also made two notable gaffes.

Introducing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, he mistakenly called him "President Putin." Realizing his mistake, Biden said, "President Putin? You're going to beat President Putin." [Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine in 2022, a key escalation in the ongoing conflict between the two nations.]

Later, while fielding questions from the press, a reporter asked Biden about Vice President Kamala Harris, to which he replied, "I wouldn't have picked Vice President Trump to be vice president if I think she's not qualified to be president."

After the press conference, Trump, 78, posted on Truth Social, "Crooked Joe begins his 'Big Boy' press conference with, 'I wouldn't have picked Vice President Trump to be vice president, though I think she was not qualified to be president.' Great job, Joe!"

Biden quickly fired back on social media, saying, "By the way, yes I know the difference. One's a prosecutor, and the other's a felon."

At various points during the press conference, Biden — who is facing increasing pressure from within his own party to step down amid concerns about his cognitive health — remained steadfast that he would not be dropping out of the race.

"I've got to finish the job," he said.

Related: Can Joe Biden Be Replaced on the Democratic Ticket? What the DNC Rules Say About Switching Nominees

At the end of the press conference, he was asked directly if he would step aside should polling show that Vice President Harris, 59, has a better chance than he does of beating Trump.

"No, unless they come back and say, 'There's no way you can win,' " he replied, adding, "no poll's saying that."

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The president previously suggested that concerns about his cognitive health and electability would be squashed when viewers saw his tact during Thursday's line of questioning, but a growing chorus of Biden skeptics within the Democratic Party asserted that their lack of confidence in his leadership could not be restored regardless of his performance.

Going into the press conference, plans were reportedly already being assembled to force Biden out of the presidential race and make way for a new candidate to take his place on the Democratic ticket by the time of August's nominating convention.

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