US President Joe Biden, at 81 years old, is running for re-election in the 2024 US presidential race. By the next election in 2028, Biden will be 85. His age and recent gaffes have led some Democrats to reconsider their candidate choice. Despite these concerns, Biden remains steadfast in his decision to stay in the race.

“I’m old... But I’m only three years older than Trump, number one. And number two, my mental acuity’s been pretty damn good,” Biden stated in an interview with NBC News anchor Lester Holt. He defended his record, saying, “I’ve gotten more done than any president has in a long, long time in 3½ years. So I’m willing to be judged on that.”

Biden acknowledged the concerns about his age, saying, “I understand. I understand why people say, 'God, he’s 81 years old. Whoa. What’s he gonna be when he’s 83 years old, or 84 years?' It’s a legitimate question to ask.” However, he emphasized that he would not step down.

This interview marked Biden's return to the campaign trail following a brief hiatus after an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. Despite a lackluster debate performance against Trump on June 27, which raised questions about his vigor and mental sharpness, Biden is determined to prove his worth.

Facing pressure from some Democrats to withdraw, Biden's resilience is evident. Vermont Senator Peter Welch became the first Democratic senator to suggest that Biden step aside for the country's benefit. However, prominent figures like former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have either supported Biden or remained neutral.

Biden reaffirmed his commitment to honoring the choice of Democratic voters, saying, "Democratic voters chose me as their candidate, and I intend to honor their choice." When asked about his decision-making process regarding his candidacy, Biden replied, "Me. I’ve been doing this a long time."

He also dismissed concerns about the tight polling margins, emphasizing that a close race was always expected. "The polling data shows a lot of different things, but there’s no wide gap between us. It’s essentially a toss-up race," he asserted. Despite a recent NBC News poll showing Trump leading Biden by a narrow margin, Biden remains unfazed.