CBS News
Despite Biden’s jabs at Trump at D.C. roast, he warns of threat to democracy
Washington — President Biden joked about former President Donald Trump during remarks at the Gridiron Club Dinner in Washington, D.C. late Saturday, turning criticism about his age on the former president as the general election gets underway. But he also took the opportunity to address the more serious — warning of threats to freedom and democracy in the U.S. and abroad.
Speaking to hundreds of journalists and leaders at his first appearance at the annual dinner, Mr. Biden said the two candidates had clinched their party’s nomination this week for president, saying that “one candidate is too old, mentally unfit to be president.”
“The other’s me,” he quipped.
The president went on to take aim at his political rival, joking about Trump’s references to running against former President Barack Obama in 2024. He also alluded to an incident where Trump appeared to refer to his wife by the wrong name.
Niall Carson/PA Images via Getty Images
“And another big difference between us — I know what I value most,” Mr. Biden said. “I’m Jill Biden’s husband. And I know her name.”
But the remarks also veered toward the serious, as the president cited threats to democracy and freedom.
Highlighting what his administration has accomplished over the last few years, the president said the work was done “all without destroying the economy, embarrassing us around the world or itching for insurrection,” in an apparent nod to Trump.
“Look, I wish these were jokes but they’re not,” he continued.
Mr. Biden warned that “we live in an unprecedented moment in democracy” when “democracy and freedom are really under attack.” He cited Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “march on Europe,” while noting that Trump encouraged Putin to “do whatever the hell you want” with NATO allies that don’t spend enough on defense.
The president urged that at home, freedom is “under assault,” making reference to voting rights and abortion. He warned that the threat apparent during the effort to overturn the 2020 election remains, calling it “poison” within the “veins of our democracy.”
Remarks at last year’s dinner took a similarly serious tone, when former Vice President Mike Pence delivered what was at the time among his strongest rebukes of the former president, saying that “history will hold Donald Trump accountable” for his election denialism.
Also speaking at this year’s event was Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Fin Gomez contributed reporting.
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CBS News
Kamala Harris will speak with “60 Minutes” tomorrow. Here’s what to know for the interview.
Voters will get the chance to hear from Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday as she presents her case for why she should be president in a “60 Minutes” election special.
For decades, “60 Minutes” has featured both Republican and Democratic nominees for presidents, but this year, former President Donald Trump backed out after previously indicating he would be on the show. Correspondent Scott Pelley, who’d been set to interview Trump, will instead travel to Arizona’s Maricopa County, home to more than 60% of Arizona’s voters and a critical battleground in a key swing state.
One thing is certain about the election; with the U.S. deeply involved in both the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, whoever wins on Nov. 5 will become a wartime president.
What Harris will discuss
Israel’s war started one year ago after Hamas launched a surprise terror attack and correspondent Bill Whitaker will discuss the ongoing war with Harris.
Harris will also discuss the economy, immigration, her record as vice president and the differences between herself and Trump.
Democratic vice presidential candidate Gov. Tim Walz will also appear.
Whitaker joined the Democratic ticket on the campaign trail this week to gain insight into their platform’s priorities and values, and what the candidates believe voters should know.
Why Trump pulled out of the “60 Minutes” interview
Leading up to the candidate hour, Trump, through campaign spokespeople, was the first candidate to accept the “60 Minutes” request to be interviewed for the special, according to CBS News. It had been agreed that both candidates would receive equal time during the broadcast.
Trump last sat down with 60 Minutes in 2020. He walked out during the interview with Lesley Stahl. Trump referenced the incident on Tuesday night at a Milwaukee press conference when asked about his decision not to participate in the Oct. 7 “60 Minutes” election special.
“Well, right now, I went to – they came to me and would like me to do an interview, but first I want to get an apology, because the last time I did an interview with them, if you remember, they challenged me on the computer,” Trump said. “They said the ‘laptop from hell’ was from Russia, and I said it wasn’t from Russia. It was from Hunter, and I never got an apology, so I’m sort of waiting. I’d love to do ’60 Minutes.’ I do everything.”
The Republican nominee for president emphasized that he felt he was owed an apology from “60 Minutes.”
“Let’s see if they do it. I wouldn’t mind doing 60,” Trump continued. “I’ve done ’60 Minutes’ a lot.”
In a statement on Tuesday, Trump campaign communications director Steven Cheung said that Trump’s team had not agreed to an interview.
“Fake News,” Cheung said in a post on X. “60 Minutes begged for an interview, even after they were caught lying about Hunter Biden’s laptop back in 2020. There were initial discussions, but nothing was ever scheduled or locked in. They also insisted on doing live fact checking, which is unprecedented.”
Previous Trump, Harris appearances on 60 Minutes
Trump previously sat down with “60 Minutes'” Mike Wallace in 1985, Pelley in 2015 and Lesley Stahl twice in 2016, first in July of that year and then again in November of 2016. He also spoke with Stahl again in 2018 and 2020.
Harris previously sat down with Whitaker last year. She also was interviewed by Norah O’Donnell, “CBS Evening News” anchor and “60 Minutes” contributing correspondent, in 2020.
