Scarborough Casts Doubt on Biden's Re-election Prospects After Debate Performance

MSNBC host Joe Scarborough expressed concerns about President Biden's fitness for a second term after a lackluster debate performance against former President Trump. Scarborough, who has previously praised Biden's accomplishments, said Biden's debate showing raised questions about his ability to defeat Trump in 2024.

MSNBC host Joe Scarborough, who has been a vocal supporter of President Joe Biden, has expressed concerns about Biden's fitness for a second term after his debate performance against former President Donald Trump.

Scarborough, the host of "Morning Joe," began his monologue about Biden's debate performance by listing the president's accomplishments while in office. He praised Biden for passing bipartisan legislation, expanding NATO, responding to the rising threat from China, and overseeing a strong economy.

Scarborough Casts Doubt on Biden's Re-election Prospects After Debate Performance

However, Scarborough said the threat Trump poses to the country if he wins a second term is possibly too grave for Democrats to take a risk on Biden following the debate.

"If, however, you believe, as do I, and as do so many people who watch this program, and who fear just how dark of a place a second Donald Trump term will take America, then I think it is critical that we ask the same questions about this man I love, respect, and whose public service in saving this country from Donald Trump over the last three and a half years I honor and always will," Scarborough said.

Scarborough Casts Doubt on Biden's Re-election Prospects After Debate Performance

Scarborough criticized Biden's inability to handle Trump during the evening, saying Biden "couldn't respond to any of those lies."

"In fact, as The New York Times said, he spent much of the night with his mouth agape and his eyes darting back and forth. He couldn't fact-check anything Donald Trump said. Not only that, he missed one lay-up after another, after another," he said.

Scarborough Casts Doubt on Biden's Re-election Prospects After Debate Performance

Scarborough said Biden "tragically did not rise to the occasion last night."

Frequent "Morning Joe" guest, Donny Deutsch, gave a similar take on Biden during the segment.

"If the truth be told, I do not believe that Joe Biden, a great man, a hero — he’s 10 times the man Donald Trump is — I don’t believe he’s our best choice at this point," he said.

"It’s all on the line," Deutsch continued. "Democracy is on the line, who we are is on the line, a woman’s right to choose her body is on the line, her ability to vote freely is on the line. Joe Biden is an American hero. I believe Joe Biden will do the right thing."

Deutsch added, "It just pains me, but I don’t believe he’s the right man right now, and I don’t know what you do to turn that around."

Scarborough's comments reflect a growing chorus of concern among Democrats about Biden's age and mental acuity. A recent CNN poll found that only 38% of Democrats believe Biden should run for re-election in 2024.

Biden has said he intends to run for re-election, but he has not yet formally announced his candidacy.