Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2024

August 20, 2024

Democratic National Convention

The President. I wanted to come over. You've been waiting a while. Whatâwhat do you got? Any questions?

Q. What did you think of that reception you got there tonight?

The President. Oh, it meant a lot to me. Very nice.

Representative Nancy Pelosi/The President's Decision Not To Seek Reelection

Q. Are you angry at Nancy Pelosi? Are you going to speak with her?

The President. No, I haven't spoken to Nancy at all. I mean, look, I madeâno one influenced my decision. No one knew it was coming.

What I decided to do wasâI didn't want toâto the extent that the party thought they'd lose Senate seats or House seats, it justâthat would have been the topic you would have had to cover the entire remainder of the campaign, and it wasn't worth it.

Democratic National Convention

Q. You teared up a little bit. Was it emotional for you tonight?

The President. Well, it was. I mean, the reception was pretty overwhelming, andââ

The President's Decision Not To Seek Reelection

Q. Do you feel at peace with your choice, or do you think you still could have won?

The President. Well, you know, you always think you could have won. And if you go back and look at the numbers, we weren't that far behind. It was like we talked about how this wasâ we were getting blown out. That's not what we saw. But it wasâit would have been close.

What have happened, though, if the discussion had been was I going to cost seats for Democrats, that would have been the whole subject matter for the remainder of the campaign. You'd have to cover it, that would be the issue, and it would give him an advantage.

Anywayââ

Former President Donald J. Trump

Q. Mr. President, earlier, you said that Donaldâyou were asked a question about Donald Trump saying that you were taken out of this race because of a coup, and you said something about his stability. Could you expand on that, your reaction to Donald Trump saying it was a coup to take you out of the race?

The President. [Laughter] I think he has a problem. I mean, no one took me out ofââ

Israel-Hamas Cease-Fire and Hostage Release Deal Negotiations

Q. On the cease-fire talksââ

Q. Cease-fire talksââ

Q. On the status of them todayââ

Q. Gazaââ

The President. It's still in play. But you knowââ

Q. What?

The President. It's still in play.

Q. Okay.

The President. But you can't predict what theâso far, as of 4 hours agoâI've not spoken to my team in 4 hoursâwell, probably 6 hours nowâIsrael says they can work it out. They're prepared. But I was told Hamas was now backing off. But it remains to be seen. We're going to keep pushing.

Democratic National Convention

Q. Highlightâhighlightâthe highlight of the night for you, sir? The highlight?

The President. My daughter's introduction. Thank you.

NOTE: The President spoke at 12:13 a.m. on the tarmac at Chicago O'Hare International Airport prior to departure for Santa Ynez, CA.

Categories: Interviews With the News Media : Exchanges with reporters, Chicago, IL. Locations: Chicago, IL.

Names: Biden, Ashley B.; Pelosi, Nancy; Trump, Donald J.

Subjects: 2024 Presidential election; Gaza, conflict with Israel; Illinois, President's visit; Israel, military operations in Gaza; News media, Presidential interviews; Presidency, U.S., President Biden's decision not to seek reelection.

DCPD Number: DCPD202400717.