Trump is reportedly nervous about the possibility of Biden running for president


There are a lot of Democrats who have hinted at running for president in 2020, but none of the many names send a shiver down President Trump's spine quite like "former Vice President Joe Biden."
Trump's advisers say he would be most concerned about his re-election if Biden was his Democratic competitor, Axios reported Wednesday. While he sees other potential candidates as weak, he thinks Biden could capitalize on Trump's own style to sway voters to go blue.
The president's previous claim that running against Biden would be a "dream" may have been a bluff, sources said, since he's privately worried that Biden could appeal to the blue-collar white voters that make up Trump's base. Biden "conveys authenticity," isn't afraid of a good verbal sparring match, and wouldn't hold back in getting under Trump's skin, advisers say. Additionally, the former VP is true to his Rust Belt roots, and could drum up support in working-class areas where Trump would desperately need wide margins to win again.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Lastly, Trump is reportedly most concerned about winning back Pennsylvania in 2020, especially if Biden, a Scranton native, took the lead as his opponent. The battleground state is sure to be hotly contested, and Democrats will be vying to flip it back in their favor. Biden has waded into talks of a presidential campaign, but has family matters that have kept him from jumping in entirely. On the other hand, he would reportedly view it as his last shot at politics, leaving him with "nothing to lose." Read more at Axios.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Summer Meza has worked at The Week since 2018, serving as a staff writer, a news writer and currently the deputy editor. As a proud news generalist, she edits everything from political punditry and science news to personal finance advice and film reviews. Summer has previously written for Newsweek and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, covering national politics, transportation and the cannabis industry.
-
5 darkly funny cartoons about Israel blocking aid to Gaza
Cartoons Artists take on forcing famine, avoiding aid, and more
-
The easy elegance of Cap Ferret
The Week Recommends 'Elemental and otherworldly' destination is loved for its natural beauty
-
Volodymyr Zelenskyy: flirting with authoritarianism?
Talking Point Ukraine's president is facing first major domestic unrest since the Russian invasion, over plans to water down the country's anti-corruption agencies
-
Trump revives K-12 Presidential Fitness Test
Speed Read The Obama administration phased the test out in 2012, replacing it with a program focused on overall health rather than standardized benchmarks
-
El Salvador scraps term limits, boosting Nayib Bukele
Speed Read New constitutional changes will allow presidents to seek reelection an indefinite number of times
-
Trump assigns tariffs, delays all except on Canada
Speed Read A 35% tariff on many Canadian goods has gone into effect
-
Harris rules out run for California governor
Speed Read The 2024 Democratic presidential nominee ended months of speculation about her plans for the contest
-
Trump sets new tariff rates as deadline nears
Speed Read New tariff rates for South Korea, Brazil and India announced
-
Ghislaine Maxwell: angling for a Trump pardon
Talking Point Convicted sex trafficker's testimony could shed new light on president's links to Jeffrey Epstein
-
Senate confirms Trump loyalist Bove to top court
Speed Read The president's former criminal defense lawyer was narrowly approved to earn a lifetime seat
-
Ghislaine Maxwell offers testimony for immunity
Speed Read The convicted sex trafficker offered to testify to Congress about her relationship with late boyfriend Jeffrey Epstein