The New York Times calls on Joe Biden to withdraw from the race for the White House after his failed debate against Donald Trump

Unrecognizable, Joe Biden swallowed words, didn’t finish some sentences and stared into space during the televised duel Thursday against his Republican predecessor.

“To serve the country, President Biden must leave the race” at the White House. In the aftermath of an unconvincing debate between the outgoing Democratic president and his Republican Party rival, Donald Trump, the editorial board of the New York Times called on Friday, June 28, for Joe Biden to withdraw his candidacy in favor of another candidate.

In its editorial, the prestigious American daily estimated that the 81-year-old head of state was “the shadow of a leader.” Joe Biden “was an admirable president”the newspaper acknowledged, recalling that “under his leadership, the nation prospered and began to address a series of long-term challenges.” “But the greatest public service that Mr. Biden could provide today would be to announce that he will not run for re-election,” wrote the New York Times, whose editorial committee brings together renowned editorialists and is supposed to reflect the values ​​of the media.

On the weekly side, Time for its part published the front page of its next issue on Saturday. We see Joe Biden coming out of the shot, on a red background, as well as a title which is in one word: panic.

“Someone has to get the keys from Joe Biden,” also wrote the weekly The Atlanticin an editorial published Friday, estimating that ”’the alternative [Donald Trump] is too horrible to contemplate.”

During from the first presidential debate against Donald TrumpOn Thursday, the American president showed signs of weakness that did not escape his supporters or political commentators. He also acknowledged on Friday that he “don’t debate as well as I used to”. “I give you my word from Biden. I wouldn’t run again if I didn’t believe, with all my heart and soul, that I can do this job“, he even pleaded in front of his supporters.

Members of the Democratic Party also questioned Joe Biden’s ability to assume a new term, which sparked a storm within the party. Becausefour months before the election, no democratic candidate is required to replace the outgoing president. “If Biden decides this week to withdraw, there will be candidates. There are many”assured franceinfo Reed Brody, a former Democratic Party official. “There is the governor of California, Gavin Newsom, the governor of Michigan, Gretchen Whitmer (..).”

LVice President Kamala Harris could also position herself in this race, the director of the North American Observatory at the Jean-Jaurès Foundation, interviewed by franceinfo. “The whole difficulty is that we need a consensual candidate who can unite the right wing and the left wing of the party”she added.