Biden also discussed the possibility of issuing pre-emptive pardons for individuals like former Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney and former senior health official Dr Anthony Fauci.
United States President Joe Biden has said he believes he would have defeated Donald Trump and won re-election in November.
However, in an exclusive interview with USA Today, Biden admitted uncertainty about his ability to serve another term, citing concerns about his stamina at 86.
“So far, so good,” the 82-year-old remarked. “But who knows what I’m going to be when I’m 86 years old?”
Biden also discussed the possibility of issuing pre-emptive pardons for individuals like former Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney and former senior health official Dr Anthony Fauci.
“I tried to make it clear that there was no need, and it was counterintuitive for his interest to go back and try to settle scores,” Biden said, recalling a conversation with Trump after the November election.
He said Trump praised him at their private meeting. “He was very complimentary about some of the economic things I had done. And he talked about − he thought I was leaving with a good record,” he said.
The president defended his controversial pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, who faced criminal charges for tax evasion and illegally purchasing a firearm.
“I meant what I said when I was asked whether I was going to pardon my son,” Biden explained, adding that his decision was based on his belief that “no-one’s ever been tried” on the gun charge and that Hunter had already paid his overdue taxes.
Biden withdrew from the presidential race after critics within the Democratic Party questioned his decision to remain in the race, pointing to concerns over his age and mental acuity.
Biden acknowledged the criticism but stated, “Based on polling, I believed I would have won… But I also wasn’t looking to be president when I was 85 years old, 86 years old.”
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