In the wake of President Joe Biden’s recent debate performance and subsequent interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos, major Democratic donors are expressing deep concerns, with some calling for Biden to step aside ahead of the next presidential election. The sentiments of the donors reflect growing skepticism within the party about Biden’s ability to compete effectively against Donald Trump.

Reed Hastings, the co-founder and executive chairman of Netflix, has been vocal in his belief that President Biden is “in denial about his mental state” and should withdraw from the presidential race to allow “a vigorous Democratic leader” to take on Trump. This sentiment was echoed by former PayPal CEO Bill Harris, who, after donating $620,000 to the Biden Victory Fund in 2020, described Biden as seeming “old” during the recent interview. Harris also stated that Biden stepping aside seems “inevitable” based on recent performances.

In response to the ongoing developments, Harris announced that a political action committee (PAC) he founded, Democrats for the Next Generation, is setting aside $2 million to fund debates among potential Democratic presidential nominees, signaling a readiness to explore alternatives. Meanwhile, Whitney Tilson, an investor and longtime Democratic donor, expressed doubts about Biden’s capability to defeat Trump, citing a disconnect with the sentiments of the American populace.

Further amplifying the chorus for change, Los Angeles billionaire and real estate mogul Rick Caruso publicly stated that stepping aside is the “right and honorable thing” for Biden to do at this critical juncture. Additionally, Hollywood producer Damon Lindelof, known for co-creating the TV show “Lost,” openly criticized Biden’s post-debate week as “a tragedy” rather than merely a disaster, suggesting divine intervention might be necessary to encourage Biden to resign.

Despite the increasing pressure and dramatic calls for his withdrawal, President Biden remains defiant. In a fundraising text sent out on Saturday, he dismissed the calls for him to drop out as “nonsense,” signaling his intent to continue his campaign. This has set the stage for a potentially tumultuous period within the Democratic Party as it grapples with internal dissent and the challenges of mounting a successful campaign against a formidable opponent like Donald Trump.

  Biden debate performance, Bill Harris, Democratic donors, Election 2024, Joe Biden, political controversy, presidential race, Reed Hastings