2024 election updates: Biden returns to the campaign trial following press conference

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Last updated: Friday, July 12, 2024 11:09PM GMT
President Biden remains tough in face of growing calls to step aside
Em Nguyen has the latest on the state of the Biden campaign amidst widespread calls for him to step down.

President Joe Biden is facing a critical point in his reelection bid as Democratic calls for him to exit the 2024 race continue to mount despite his efforts to shut them down.

A poor debate performance against Donald Trump reignited questions about Biden's age and fitness to carry out his campaign and serve another four years. Biden has defiantly insisted he is staying the course, telling lawmakers this week he is not going anywhere.

Thursday evening, Biden held his first post-debate news conference. And while it went better than his debate, it also wasn't a masterclass. Now, Democrats are worried they're right where they started before he spoke Thursday night.

ByRachel Scott, Mariam Khan and MaryAlice Parks ABCNews logo
Jul 12, 2024, 11:06 PM GMT

Biden call with Congressional Hispanic Caucus went 'off the rails,' member says

Biden's talk with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus did not go smoothly, according to multiple sources who had knowledge of the meeting.

One member who was on the call with the president told ABC News it was "frustrating," saying it went "off the rails" at one point.

The president was an hour late to the call, three sources said.

When it finally started, those who organized the virtual meeting said only two members would be allowed to ask questions, but Biden ended up trying to take more questions.

Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, who has called on the president to resign, and Rep. Gabe Vasquez both tried to ask questions by using the raise-hand feature on Zoom but it kept being taken down, according to a source.

This source blamed campaign staff who the source felt were trying to control the call.

Rep. Mike Levin was not on the list of 'pre-selected' members to ask questions, but when Biden opened it up the call to others, Levin told him it was time to step aside and allow someone else to lead the Democratic ticket.

Biden responded at length, according to two sources, with, "That's why I'm going out and letting people touch me, poke me, ask me questions. I think I know what I'm doing because the truth of the matter is I'm going to say something outrageous: No president in three years has done what we have in three years other than Franklin Roosevelt, because of your help."

"That's not hyperbole, that's a fact. No president. And so, that doesn't answer the question," Biden added, according to the sources.

"That was great when you were feeling good, 'Biden, are you OK now?'" Biden continued, talking in the third person, the sources said. "That's what's underlying. That's what people are worried about. 'I've got a grandfather who's 85 years old, and he can't walk.' It's a legitimate concern for people, but that's why I think it's important I get out and show people everything from how well I move to how much I know and that I'm still in good charge."

Biden tried to take another question and then the meeting ended abruptly, according to one person on the call and another person who was briefed after the 30-minute call

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Jul 12, 2024, 9:28 PM GMT

US Sen. Susan Collins says she will once again not vote for Donald Trump in 2024

Sen. Susan Collins didn't vote for Donald Trump for president in 2016 or 2020, and the third time will not be the charm.

Collins, a longtime moderate Republican senator from Maine, told reporters on Friday that she intended to write in former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley's name on the ballot in November. The move recalls 2016, when Collins said she wrote in then-House Speaker Paul Ryan for president over Trump.

ByBen Siegel and Rachel Scott ABCNews logo
Jul 12, 2024, 6:30 PM GMT

Biden to speak with progressive, moderate Democrats this weekend: Sources

President Biden is expected to speak with members of the New Democrat Coalition, a large group of self-styled moderates in the House, over the weekend, multiple Democratic sources told ABC News.

The group includes several Democrats who have called for him to withdraw from the race, including Reps. Adam Smith, Pat Ryan, Mikie Sherrill, Mike Quigley, and Jim Himes.

It's not clear how many of those members will join the call. But it could be an opportunity for some of them to make their case directly to Biden.

The president plans to also meet with members of the Progressive Caucus on Saturday, according to sources.

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Jul 12, 2024, 5:13 PM GMT

Biden meets with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus

President Biden spoke viritually with with members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, according to a Democratic aide, granted anonymity to discuss the private call.

The group's chair, Rep. Nanette Barragán, D-Calif., put out a statement of support for Biden after his debate, but many of her members have yet to do the same and some, including Rep. Raúl Grijalva, D-Ariz., have publicly stated that Biden should step down.

The president has faced criticisms from Hispanic members and outside groups in response to a series of immigration decisions he's made over the last several years and the group is a crucial voting bloc for the Democratic Party.