Joe Biden’s disastrous showdown with Donald Trump was part of a deliberate ploy to oust the president from his candidacy for the upcoming election, according to ex-Daily Mirror Deputy Editor Paul Connew.
The oldest ever sitting president is reportedly weighing up whether to drop out of the race as new concerns are raised over his ability to govern.
Speaking on GB News, Connew claimed parts of his own team are working against him as even they are sceptical about his chances up against Donald Trump.
“I’ve heard a theory from some contacts, I don’t know how true it is, saying perhaps Biden was encouraged by some of his own team into that early debate”, he told Andrew Pierce.
Paul Connew discussed Biden's prospects on GB News
POOL / GB NEWS
“It was an unusually early debate, because they thought exactly what happened would have done.
“They thought it would give them time to actually somehow remove him from the candidacy or persuade him to step down.
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Biden had been lambasted for his debate performance against Donald Trump CNN“If they are to find another candidate, they haven’t got long because the Democratic convention is in August, and they have to decide who they are going to have.
“If Biden does chose to step down, then they would probably have to have an open convention.”
Names like Vice President Kamala Harris and California Governor Gavin Newsom have been mooted as possible alternatives to Biden should he opt against running for another term.
Another name is former First Lady Michelle Obama, who many view as potentially the biggest threat to Donald Trump given her favourability among Democrat voters.
Paul Connew joined Andrew Pierce on GB News
GB NEWS
It comes after the US president laboured through his clash with Republican foe Trump last week where he repeatedly stumbled on his words.
Trump even accused Biden at one point of “not knowing what he is saying”.
The 81-year-old has acknowledged his poor performance and blamed a cold and lengthy travel.
But that has done little to quell speculation about his future and according to an ally, Biden is seriously considering his next step.
The ally told the New York Times: "He knows if he has two more events like that, we're in a different place".
White House spokesperson Andrew Bates was quick to shut down speculation, branding the claims “absolutely false”.