Democrats have been freaking out since Joe Biden’s awful debate performance late last month, and now celebrities are joining the chorus. Heading into the June 27 showdown, our octogenarian president had been successful at keeping his party in check despite dismal approval ratings and polls that place him slightly behind his opponent, former president and newly convicted felon Donald Trump. After his showing at the debate, however, Biden’s virtually lost his grip on a decent portion of the Democratic Party: Hollywood. Below, the latest celebs who have reacted to the Biden dilemma, now that he has officially left the race and endorsed Kamala Harris. The DEMbargo is lifted.
What did Biden say at the debate?
Overall, Biden’s June 27 debate performance was characterized by confused pauses, a raspy voice weakened by a cold, moments where he seemed to forget he was on a prime-time stage, and low energy levels. In one viral moment, the commander-in-chief even struggled to name Medicare when he was responding to a question about taxing the rich. “We have 1,000 trillionaires in America — I mean billionaires in America. And what’s happening? They’re in a situation where they, in fact, pay 8.2 percent taxes, if they just paid 24 percent, 25 percent — either one of those numbers — we’d raise $500 million — billion dollars, I should say — in a ten-year period,†he said, describing a tax policy that would raise enough money for things like child care and other needs. That’s when he couldn’t name the landmark elder insurance program. Biden paused, saying, “Excuse me, dealing with everything we have to do with …†He paused again before remembering the program. “Look, if we finally beat Medicare,†he said, which makes it seem like Dems are anti-Medicare, the opposite of their stance.
Naturally, calls for a Biden replacement were swift heading into the Fourth of July weekend, trying to imagine what can be next for Democrats, unburdened by what has been. A thrill for the KHive, we’re sure.
What’s in Biden’s open letter?
Amid the turmoil, Biden sent an open letter to House Democrats basically telling them not to believe the rumors and to support his bid for reelection. “Now that you have returned from the July 4th recess, I want you to know that despite all the speculation in the press and elsewhere, I am firmly committed to staying in this race, to running this race to the end, and to beating Donald Trump,†he wrote on July 8. Believing he is the best person to defeat the small-handed chaos agent, Biden told his party, “It’s time to come together.â€
He rejected the idea that any replacement would stand a chance. Biden defiantly fired shots at those he defeated in the primaries, calling them everything but losers. “This was a process open to anyone who wanted to run,†he reminded us. “Only three people chose to challenge me. One fared so badly that he left the primaries to run as an independent. Another attacked me for being too old and was soundly defeated. The voters of the Democratic Party have voted. They have chosen me to be the nominee of the party.†Elsewhere in the letter, he clarified his platform, which didn’t come across easily during the debates, and celebrated his wins while in office, including low unemployment rates, the infrastructure act, climate-change investment, and more.
Who wants Biden replaced?
George Clooney
George Clooney is begging Democrats to grasp the gravity of the Biden situation. Specifically, he believes the country will see red if the Democrats don’t change course. “Our party leaders need to stop telling us that 51 million people didn’t see what we just saw,†he wrote in a New York Times op-ed published July 10. “We’re all so terrified by the prospect of a second Trump term that we’ve opted to ignore every warning sign.†Not only is the White House at stake, but so too is Congress. “We are not going to win in November with this president,†he continued. “On top of that, we won’t win the House, and we’re going to lose the Senate. This isn’t only my opinion; this is the opinion of every senator and congress member and governor that I’ve spoken with in private. Every single one, irrespective of what he or she is saying publicly.â€
Clooney believes it’s the job of top Democrats to persuade Biden to step aside. “Would it be messy? Yes. Democracy is messy. But would it enliven our party and wake up voters who, long before the June debate, had already checked out? It sure would,†he wrote. To him, the only way for Biden to continue to be a “hero†like he was in 2020 is to leave the race.
George Stephanopoulos, maybe
George Stephanopoulos, who interviewed Biden in something of a do-over after the debate, was caught by TMZ saying “I don’t think he can serve four more years.†He appeared to be approached by someone while working out on the streets of New York. After TMZ’s post went live on July 9, Stephanopoulos and ABC News issued statements apologizing for/distancing themselves from his off-the-cuff remark. “Earlier today, I responded to a question from a passerby,†Stephanopoulos said. “I shouldn’t have.†An ABC spokesperson said, “George expressed his own point of view and not the position of ABC News.â€
Stephen King
The long-standing Democrat and horror author believes Biden needs to step aside for the country’s sake. “Joe Biden has been a fine president, but it’s time for him — in the interests of the America he so clearly loves — to announce he will not run for re-election,†King tweeted on July 8.
Rob Reiner
The Harry Met Sally director called for Biden to “stop fucking around†on July 7. “If the Convicted Felon wins, we lose our Democracy,†he tweeted. “Joe Biden has effectively served US with honor, decency, and dignity. It’s time for Joe Biden to step down.â€
John Cusack
Brat Pack–er and Say Anything actor agreed with Reiner’s sentiments. “There has been no bigger supporter of Biden‘s domestic policy than Rob — he’s right,†Cusack tweeted on July 7.
Damon Lindelof
Writing an essay for Deadline, the Lost creator called for a boycott of donations to the Democratic Party until they get it together, a call echoed by major donor Abigail Disney, Walt Disney’s great-niece. “I am a lifelong Democrat and I love my complicated, glorious country,†he said in the July 3 op-ed. “I am not writing this anonymously because I’m asking others in positions of influence to do the same. I don’t know if what I have to say will matter, but I know what my eyes and my ears and my heart tell me. I’ve been asleep at the wheel and it’s time to wake the fuck up.†Using extended baseball metaphors to describe the party, he wrote that Biden will hand over the ball if they would just walk onto the field. Until then, he has a plan: “I propose a DEMbargo. No checks written. No ActBlue links clicked. For anyone.â€
What’s happening now that Biden is out?
On Sunday July 21 (National Ice Cream Day), Joe Biden announced that he was no longer seeking reelection. “It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President,†he wrote in an open letter to the nation. “And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term. I will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision.†Shortly thereafter he endorsed Kamala Harris, who declared that she would be running. John Cusack discouraged anointing anyone as the presumed nominee. “I can think of many good reasons not to,†he tweeted.
Earlier in the day, an op-ed written by Aaron Sorkin was published in the New York Times, in which he scripted that the Democrats should nominate Mitt Romney instead of Biden. Shortly after Biden’s announcement, Josh Malina posted a screenshot of his email. “I need to borrow your Twitter account again,†an email from Aaron Sorkin seemingly reads. “‘I take it all back. Harris for America!’â€
Also stanning Kamala Harris is Charli XCX, who tweeted “kamala IS brat.†Harris is now following Charli on Instagram. But does she have finsta access?
Is the DEMbargo lifted?
Yes. Damon Lindelof announced on social media that “Suffice to say, the DEMBARGO is lifted. And here. We. GOOOOOOOOOOO!†Other celebs who expressed renewed excitement for the 2024 race include Ariana Grande, Cardi B, Barbra Streisand, Mark Hamill, and Robert De Niro, who issued a statement to TMZ: “Joe Biden is stepping aside to clear the path for another Democrat to become president because there is nothing more important for our country than defeating Donald Trump at the ballot box. With respect, admiration, and affection, thank you Mr. President!â€