George Stephanopoulos Expresses Doubts After Biden Interview: ‘I Don’t Think He Can Serve Four More Years’

 

New York, CNN — George Stephanopoulos, dressed casually in a T-shirt, shorts, and over-the-ear headphones, was walking through New York City on Tuesday when a stranger approached him, inquiring about his opinion on President Joe Biden's fitness for office.

“I don’t think he can serve four more years,” the ABC News anchor responded candidly. This remark came just days after his on-camera interview with Biden following the CNN presidential debate.

Stephanopoulos’ blunt comment, which was captured on video and shared by TMZ, highlighted growing concerns in the media about Biden’s capacity to not only defeat Donald Trump in the upcoming election but also to effectively serve another term.

Later that evening, Stephanopoulos expressed regret for his candid remark. Through a spokesperson, he stated, “Earlier today I responded to a question from a passerby. I shouldn’t have.” Although he did not retract his statement, he acknowledged that it was inappropriate to express it publicly. ABC News also clarified that Stephanopoulos had shared his personal view and not the position of the network. Nonetheless, the comment had already sparked significant discussion.

Stephanopoulos is not alone in his skepticism. A number of media professionals have voiced similar concerns. The coverage of Biden over the past two weeks has been intense, with some critics arguing that it has been excessive and irresponsible. For instance, The New York Times editorial board recently published a piece titled “To Serve His Country, President Biden Should Leave the Race,” joining other notable voices in suggesting that Biden should step aside.

This growing distrust among the press poses a substantial challenge for Biden as he seeks to persuade the American public of his readiness for the demanding role ahead. Every action and statement from Biden is now under intense scrutiny, a precarious situation for any political candidate. Moreover, Biden is no longer afforded the benefit of the doubt; in fact, the opposite is true.

Despite Biden’s recent assertion that he doesn’t care about the opinions of “the elites,” he is well aware that antagonizing the media is not a successful strategy. The media’s portrayal of his campaign significantly impacts public perception of his fitness for office. With the 2024 race already tight before the CNN debate, the adverse media coverage poses a severe threat to his campaign.

How Biden can navigate this media storm remains uncertain. So far, his efforts to regain trust have not yielded the desired results. The interview with Stephanopoulos is a prime example. Rather than helping his campaign, the interview has backfired, failing to convince even the chosen interviewer of his ability to lead the nation for the next four years.

The inability to persuade Stephanopoulos, whom his campaign selected for the first post-debate interview, reflects poorly on Biden’s campaign and its prospects moving forward.