Despite facing pressure from Democrats and dwindling campaign funds, President Biden reportedly still harbors the belief that he could have defeated Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election. Sources close to the president informed the Washington Post that Biden frequently expresses this sentiment, referencing his perceived ability to overcome challenges such as a difficult debate performance and low approval ratings.

Mounting calls for Biden to step aside intensified within the Democratic party following the June 27th debate, with concerns about his electability growing. Simultaneously, campaign donations began to dry up as donors questioned his prospects against Trump. These factors ultimately led to Biden's withdrawal from the race on July 21st, followed by his endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris.

Harris subsequently lost to Trump by a margin of 2.2 million votes. The Washington Post reports that Biden has refrained from blaming Harris for the loss, continuing to maintain that he could have secured a victory. This conviction aligns with earlier reports from the New York Times in September, where sources indicated Biden's unwavering belief in his ability to defeat Trump, despite the prevailing circumstances surrounding his withdrawal.

However, not everyone shares Biden's perspective. Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) reportedly conveyed to Biden that his political style was ill-suited to the current political climate. Meanwhile, Biden's national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, defended the president's decision to prioritize long-term strategic goals over short-term electoral considerations.

In addition to expressing regret over his withdrawal, the Washington Post also reports that Biden has privately voiced concerns about his choice of Merrick Garland as attorney general. Biden reportedly feels Garland's approach to prosecuting Trump was too slow, while simultaneously believing that the prosecution of his son, Hunter Biden, was overly aggressive. The White House has been contacted for comment on these reports.