Top Biden Advisers Under Fire After Debate Fallout Prompts Calls For Change – News18

A prominent donor to Joe Biden has slammed three of the US president’s closest advisors following what many described as a disastrous debate performance in the US city of Atlanta. Millions watched as Biden appeared weak and hoarse opposite Donald Trump, prompting concerns about his campaign’s direction.

Over the weekend, the Biden family convened at Camp David for urgent discussions about the president’s slipping poll numbers and the effectiveness of his campaign team. Despite outward displays of solidarity, questions lingered about the advisors who had prepared Biden for the debate.

John Morgan, a key Democratic donor aligned with Biden’s brother, Frank, openly condemned what he termed as “grifters” among Biden’s advisors, singling out former White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain, senior advisor Anita Dunn, and Biden’s attorney, Bob Bauer. Morgan took to social media to lambast the handling of Biden’s debate preparations, particularly the chosen format as disastrous and advantageous to Trump.

Morgan accused Dunn and Bauer of misleading the US president, calling their influence “gross” and alleging political malpractice. In an interview with the New York Times, Morgan drew a stark comparison, likening Biden’s debate readiness to a fighter forced into a sauna before a title bout. He squarely blamed Klain, Bauer, and Dunn for the debate’s shortcomings.

Despite internal criticism, Biden himself reportedly retains trust in his advisors, including those directly implicated in the debate fallout. His wife, Jill Biden, has emerged as a staunch advocate for his continued candidacy, reassuring donors in New York that despite the debate’s optics, the campaign would press on. The debate performance, marked by Biden’s faltering delivery and perceived cognitive lapses, sparked panic within Democratic ranks and prompted speculation about alternative nominees.

However, at a subsequent rally in Raleigh, North Carolina, Biden rallied, admitting imperfections in his debate performance but reaffirming his commitment to the race amid cheers from supporters. Jill Biden’s unwavering support has been pivotal, publicly dismissing doubts about her husband’s fitness for office and affirming his capability to lead. Despite increasing scrutiny over Biden’s cognitive abilities, including a poll indicating widespread skepticism about his fitness for another term, the Bidens remain resolute in their campaign stance. Meanwhile, top Democrats also backed Biden as they ruled out the possibility of replacing him as the Democratic nominee.