In possibly one his last interviews, President Joe Biden had a succinct response when asked whether or not he had enough vigor to serve another term.
“Who the hell knows?” Biden told USA Today reporter Susan Page during an exclusive interview in the Oval Office, adding he didn’t know how he would be in the future.
“So far, so good,” Biden said. “But who knows what I’m going to be when I’m 86 years old?”
Biden told Page he believes he could have won the 2024 election had he remained in the race against now President-elect Donald Trump.
“It’s presumptive to say, but I think yes, based on the polling.” Biden said.
According to the interview’s full transcript, when asked what his greatest fear was surrounding Trump taking over the Oval Office, Biden noted it is the possible elimination of some of his climate laws that scared him the most.
“On the economy, my single greatest fear is that he will try to, and maybe even succeed, in eliminating the elements of the climate law,” Biden said, “That he’ll succeed in kicking back the restrictions on drug manufacturers. That he’ll cut programs and infrastructure.”
Biden was then asked if he was thinking of issuing preemptive pardons for individuals like Liz Cheney and Dr. Anthony Fauci who Trump has allegedly promised to target.
“A little bit of it depends on who he puts in what positions … I was very straightforward with Trump when he got elected. I invited him immediately to the White House. I spent two hours with him … I tried to make it clear that there was no need, and it was counterintuitive for his interest to go back and try to settle scores,” Biden said, noting Trump was gracious and simply listened to what he had to say, but never promised to not pursue it.
