Jill Biden Says She Feared Joe Was Having a Stroke During Tumultuous Debate

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News (2 / 1) 28.05.2026 10:54 / Torben

The viral aftermath

The 90-minute clash showed the then-president pausing, losing his train of thought and making several gaffes — moments his opponent seized on. After the debate Jill was filmed comforting him with reassuring words; that brief exchange quickly went viral and prompted debate about her tone, with some viewers saying she sounded more like a caregiver than a spouse.

The political fallout

The performance intensified concerns about Biden’s fitness for another term. Calls for him to step down emerged, and on July 10 George Clooney publicly argued a new nominee was needed. Biden announced his withdrawal from the race on July 21, 2024; Vice President Kamala Harris replaced him on the ticket and went on to lose the November 2024 election to Donald Trump, who carried all seven swing states.