Jill Biden recently discussed her decision to support her husband, former President Joe Biden, in his 2024 reelection campaign, despite challenges. Speaking with Craig Melvin on TODAY, she addressed the circumstances surrounding a pivotal debate.
In her memoir, “View From the West Wing: A Memoir,” Jill Biden reflects on Joe Biden’s debate performance against Donald Trump, which ultimately led to his withdrawal from the race. Asked by Melvin if she would encourage a reelection bid in hindsight, she replied, “As I look back, would I want to put Joe through the hurt and the pain that we felt during that time? Never.”
Following the debate, she publicly praised her husband’s performance, despite concerns about his cognitive abilities. “I’m not going to get out there on the stage and say, ‘Joe, you really screwed that up,’” Jill Biden expressed on TODAY. “I had to support him.”
The debate took place on June 27, 2024, in Atlanta, involving both Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Kamala Harris later became the Democratic nominee after Biden’s exit. She wrote in her own memoir that Biden’s departure was not due to mental incapacity.
Former Vice President Harris remarked, “It’s Joe and Jill’s decision,” emphasizing the personal nature of the choice. Harris’s book title, “107 Days,” refers to the time between Biden’s withdrawal and the election.
Joe Biden faced allegations about his cognitive health. He sued to prevent the release of recordings related to these claims. A report suggested memory issues, which the White House denied.
In May 2025, Biden addressed a book questioning his mental fitness. He dismissed accounts of not recognizing acquaintances at events. He stated, “There’s nothing to sustain that.”
Jill Biden spoke about her husband’s health, revealing his prostate cancer diagnosis and the spread to his bones. “He’s doing OK,” she noted. She mentioned the ongoing nature of his battle with cancer.