Jake Tapper Tears Into Joe Biden: 'In Complete Denial'

CNN anchor Jake Tapper took aim at Joe Biden and his team on Monday amid ongoing concern over the president's age.

He said Democratic Party officials fear Biden and his family are in "complete denial" about his health and the state of his 2024 presidential election campaign.

Concern over the age and cognitive abilities of the 81-year-old Biden surged following his first presidential debate with presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump, which took place on June 27 in Atlanta. At several points during the debate, Biden appeared to lose his train of thought, causing the bookies odds on him being the Democrats' 2024 presidential candidate to decline sharply. In response, a number of Democrats, including sitting members of Congress, urged Biden to step aside from the contest.

Speaking during his CNN show, Tapper said: "In reality 72 percent of voters say that they believe President Biden is too old, that's according to CNN's most recent polling. Voters have been saying this for quite a long time, the reality is that the Democratic elites are mostly late to acknowledge these age ability issues compared to the rest of the public."

The anchor then quoted from a live interview Biden gave to MSNBC's Morning Joe earlier on Monday in which the president said: "The fact of the matter is how can you assure you're going to be out on, you know, on your way to go, you know, work tomorrow age, age wasn't, you know, the idea that I'm too old."

He added: "Keep in mind that soundbite is supposed to be reassuring to those Democratic supporters... many Democratic officials with whom I have spoken are worried that President Biden and his family and his inner circle appear to be in complete denial not just about whatever might be wrong with him but the state of his candidacy right now."

Newsweek contacted the White House press office and President Biden's 2024 presidential election campaign for comment via email on Monday outside of usual office hours.

During his MSNBC interview, which was conducted live by telephone, Biden insisted he will run in November and hit out at what he called "elites in the [Democratic] party" who have questioned his decision.

The president said: "If any of these guys don't think I should run, run against me. Go ahead. Announce for president—challenge me at the convention!"

Biden added: "I'm here for two reasons, pal. One, to rebuild the economy for hard-working middle class people, to give everybody a shot. It's a straight shot. Everybody gets a fair chance. Number two, people always talk about how I don't have the wide support. Come on, give me a break. Come with me. Watch."

The president also reiterated his plan to run in an open letter sent on Monday to "my fellow Democrats on Capitol Hill," which was also shared on X.

He said: "I have had extensive conversations with the leadership of the party, elected officials, rank and file members, and most importantly, Democratic voters over these past 10 days or so. I have heard the concerns that people have—their good faith fears and worries about what is at stake in this election. I am not blind to them...

"I can respond to all this by saying clearly and unequivocally: I wouldn't be running again if I did not absolutely believe I was the best person to beat Donald Trump in 2024."

Appearing on Sean Hannity's Fox News show on Monday, Trump suggested Biden's "ego" meant he doesn't want to withdraw from the presidential race.

He said: "It looks to me like he may very well stay in, he's got an ego and he doesn't want to quit, he doesn't want to do that, it looks to me like that's what he wants."