George Clooney, Stephen King and many other supporters urge US President Joe Biden to step down from 2024 run

A week after US President Joe Biden was caught lagging during his debate with republican candidate Donald Trump, all eyes were on Biden at the NATO summit in Washington. It is said that he did not slip up much and even delivered a forceful speech that seemed to redeem him in the eyes of some democrats. However, many people — including very influential Hollywood names — remain discontent with Biden’s candidacy and are practically begging him to step down and give the party a fighting chance.

Democratic Senator Peter Welch of Vermont became the first in the Senate to explicitly call on 81-year-old Biden to withdraw, citing concerns over his age and fitness. This sentiment echoes the voices of at least eight House Democrats who have also urged Biden not to seek another term.

The calls for Biden's withdrawal gained momentum after high-profile figures within the Democratic establishment, including Hollywood actor George Clooney and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, expressed doubts about his candidacy. Clooney, who recently co-hosted a fundraising event that raised nearly $30 million for Biden, penned a scathing editorial in the New York Times, lamenting Biden's perceived decline since his heyday as Vice President.
"It's devastating to say it, but the Joe Biden I was with three weeks ago at the fund-raiser was not the Joe 'big F-ing deal' Biden of 2010," Clooney wrote. "He wasn’t even the Joe Biden of 2020."

Biden himself attributed his lacklustre debate performance to jetlag and a cold, factors that he believes impacted his ability to articulate his vision effectively against Trump. But Clooney argues that his performance in the debate underscores a larger concern about his ability to lead the party to victory in November.

"Was he tired? Yes. A cold? Maybe. But our party leaders need to stop telling us that 51 million people didn't see what we just saw," Clooney further said.

Rob Reiner, another longtime Democratic supporter and Hollywood figure, echoed Clooney's sentiments, emphasising the need for a younger leader to take on Trump. John Cusack, known for his political activism, shifted his stance from supporting Biden to advocating for his withdrawal, aligning with opinions expressed by fellow influencers like Abigail Disney, Michael Douglas, Michael Moore, Reed Hastings, Stephen King, and Damon Lindelof, each highlighting varying degrees of concern over Biden's candidacy and the party's chances in the upcoming election.
These voices reflect a growing unease among influential donors and public figures within the Democratic Party. Despite these calls, Biden's campaign remains steadfast, pointing to his commitment to continue running in November.

In response to the mounting criticism, Biden is set to address the nation in a televised interview with NBC, aiming to reassure voters and allies alike of his capability to lead. However, with each passing day, the chorus of dissent within the Democratic Party grows louder, casting a shadow over Biden's prospects for reelection.

The outcome of these deliberations could prove pivotal in shaping the future of Biden's presidency and the broader landscape of American politics.