President Biden speaks to supporters at a campaign event at Renaissance High School on July 12, 2024, in Detroit. (Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)
Concerns over his fitness, mental competency and overall strength as a candidate quickly overtook conversation on the campaign trail and on Capitol Hill – the initial spiral of his campaign.
Biden attempted to divert the conversation by assuring he would not drop out of the race and "isn't going anywhere," but his efforts were unsuccessful.
Within days of the debate, the first Democratic member of Congress called on Biden to drop out of the 2024 race, citing concerns over his ability to beat Trump in November.
On July 2, just five days after the debate, Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, became the first of many to break from their party's nominee.
George Clooney, an actor and high-profile Democrat, called on Biden to drop out of the race. (Stefania D'Alessandro/WireImage)
July 12 – George Clooney: "We are not going to win in November with this president. 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 who I’ve spoken with in private. Every single one, irrespective of what he or she is saying publicly."
Within two weeks of the debate, nearly two dozen Democratic representatives had called on Biden to be replaced as the nominee.
The president was seen making several new gaffes in the crucial days following his performance at the first presidential debate, only elevating concern over his mental competency.
Biden accidentally introduced Russian President Vladimir Putin instead of the intended speaker, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, at the 2024 NATO Summit.
Former President Trump is surrounded by Secret Service agents at a campaign rally, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania. (Evan Vucci/AP Images)
On that same day, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., reportedly "conveyed the views of his caucus directly to President Biden" during a one-on-one meeting in Delaware.
Biden, who condemned the attack, saw some relief for his campaign in the days following the Trump rally shooting, but the Democratic push for him to drop out was far from over.
Calls for Biden to be replaced as the nominee resurfaced, with reports that the president's most loyal confidants in House and Senate leadership were asking the president to consider dropping out of the race.
Rep. Adam Schiff called on Biden to drop out of the presidential race. (Jerod Harris for Demand Justice)
On July 17, top House Democrat and California Senate candidate Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., called on Biden to drop out.
"A second Trump presidency will undermine the very foundation of our democracy, and I have serious concerns about whether the president can defeat Donald Trump in November," Schiff said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
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Former President Barack Obama reportedly told his allies that he believes Biden needs to reconsider his candidacy, the Washington Post reported, citing multiple people briefed on his thinking.
Aubrie Spady is a Writer for Fox News Digital.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/debate-catastrophe-standing-down-bidens-road-exit