Jill Biden Reflects on Joe Biden’s 2024 Election Run

Jill Biden discussed her support for Joe Biden’s 2024 presidential reelection campaign, despite a challenging debate performance. She shared her thoughts during an interview with Craig Melvin on TODAY, coinciding with the release of her new book, “View From the West Wing: A Memoir.” In the memoir, she details her backing of her husband after a significant debate against Donald Trump in June 2024. This debate performance led to Joe Biden withdrawing from the race.

When asked if she would have encouraged him to seek reelection if given a second chance, Jill Biden reflected on the difficulty of their experience. “Would I want to put Joe through the hurt and the pain that we felt during that time? Never,” she stated. She emphasized that the decision had to be Joe’s, as he would have to live with it.

Following the debate, Jill Biden publicly praised her husband’s performance, stating he “answered every question.” However, the debate raised concerns about his cognitive abilities. Speaking on TODAY, she recounted her internal thoughts immediately after the debate, “My mind is racing. What do I say to him?” She conveyed her determination to support him despite the challenges.

The debate took place on June 27, 2024, in Atlanta, with Donald Trump as Joe Biden’s opponent. Kamala Harris, who stepped in as the Democratic nominee after Joe Biden’s withdrawal, mentioned in her memoir “107 Days” that Biden’s departure was a personal decision rather than due to mental incapacity.

Amid allegations of cognitive decline, Joe Biden has defended himself. In May 2026, he filed a lawsuit against the Justice Department to prevent the release of recorded conversations with his memoir’s ghostwriter. Additionally, former special counsel Robert Hur’s report, which highlighted Joe Biden’s memory issues related to a classified materials investigation, was denied by the White House.

The discussion of Joe Biden’s mental health continued with the release of the book “Original Sin” by journalists Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson. According to the book, Biden failed to recognize actor George Clooney at an event. Joe Biden rebuffed these assertions in an interview, emphasizing their inaccuracy.

In May 2025, Joe Biden announced that he had been diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer, undergoing radiation treatment following skin cancer surgery in September 2025. Jill Biden shared on TODAY that the cancer spread to his bones, altering the prognosis. “He’s doing OK,” she noted, acknowledging that he will likely manage the cancer for the remainder of his life.