Written By Lisa Murimi
US President Joe Biden has admitted it was a mistake to say, “time to put Trump in a bullseye,” days before an assassination attempt on his election rival.
In his first interview since the incident, Biden defended his rhetoric against Donald Trump, stressing the importance of communicating the threat of a second Trump term.
Speaking to NBC’s Lester Holt, Biden emphasized that Democrats needed to focus on Trump, his policies, and his false statements from the recent presidential debate.
Despite calls from his party to step aside after a poor debate performance, Biden affirmed he would remain in the presidential race, acknowledging concerns about his age but asserting his mental acuity and listing his accomplishments as president.
Biden has urged Americans to “lower the temperature” since the Saturday shooting where a bullet grazed Trump’s ear. One person was killed, and two others were critically injured.
Some Republicans have blamed Biden’s “bullseye” comment for inciting the attempt on Trump’s life. JD Vance, Trump’s newly announced running mate, stated that Democratic rhetoric led directly to the assassination attempt.
Biden clarified his remark during a private donor call, saying it was meant to emphasize the need to focus on defeating Trump.
The FBI identified the gunman as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, a registered Republican from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. Crooks was shot dead by a Secret Service sniper after firing at Trump.
