Biden takes responsibility for Trump's victory: 'I was in charge and he won'

[In It to Win It]

Former President Joe Biden said he takes “responsibility” for Donald Trump’s return to the White House and accused his successor of failing to protect the interests of the country.

Sitting for his first live television interview since leaving office, Biden was asked on “The View” if he felt responsible for Trump’s victory.

“Yes, I do, because, look, I was in charge and he won, so I take responsibility,” Biden said.

Offering an assessment of Trump’s return to power, Biden said his successor “has done, quite frankly, a very poor job in the interest of the United States of America.”

“I think, you know, the greatest alliance in the history of the world is NATO, not a joke, and he’s blown it up,” he said. “He’s had the worst 100 days any president has ever had.”

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/08/biden-trump-victory-take-responsibility-00335647

[dflprincess]

1. Joe looked & sounded good today on The View

Way more coherent than TSF.

[Chasstev365]

2. I Don't Know Joe:

The corporate media did everything they could to hurt you and Kamala and help Dime-Store Mussolini.

[maxsolomon]

3. The American Public bears more responsibility,

for being gullible and dumb AF. Just as in 2016, THEY GOT CONNED.

[Baitball Blogger]

4. Too many of the Pelosi Dems are going to read into Biden's self-blame.

[Akakoji]

12. What isa Pelosi Dem?

Explain, please

[mr715]

19. I'm one.

I support the Speaker Emerita

[Baitball Blogger]

24. Show don't tell...

One who didn’t back Biden’s second term behind the scenes while making it sound like it was his choice. Kamala was good choice, but the way that was handled sabotaged us. Also, someone who would call from her hospital bed to stop AOC from taking on a position she deserved.

[themaguffin]

22. Oh ffs

[Initech]

5. Not just a poor job, the absolute worst in United States history!

Really - this administration is rock bottom. I really wonder how anyone can see what is happening and think this is OK. This is not civilized adult behavior. This is screaming infantile behavior.

[Alice Kramden]

13. In Putin's eyes

Trump is doing a great job

[Initech]

36. The sooner Putin and Medvedev rid the world of their evil existance the better.

Don't care how it is done, but this world will be an infinitely better place once those two warmongering psychopaths are gone.

[chowder66]

6. Why that question? Why is he responsible? That doesn't make sense to me considering the media hit job.

Are other people asked this question? Maybe I'm reading too much into it.

I guess this is the equivalent of "do you think you would have done things differently?" or "do you have any regrets?".

[MichMan]

9. Given that he is the only president to withdraw that close to the election, it's a fair question

Lots of belief here and elsewhere that Biden withdrawing that late didn't give Harris enough time to mount a winning campaign.

[Johonny]

11. Because Biden is a real leader

He took the responsibility for things that occurred while he is in charge. He is very much a Harry Truman and not a Trump.

[lees1975]

29. As he said, he was "in charge."

I think the chaos that resulted from such a late decision to drop out, following a bad debate performence, and combined with pressing internal polling data showing he was in trouble, hurt Democrats' chances. If he'd withdrawn and allowed a full primary and vetting and nomination process to take place, the results might have been different.

I also look back to the two year period when Democrats had control of both houses. Biden was aware of a movement in the House and Senate to pack the Supreme Court in order to save Roe, overturn the immunity ruling, Citizens United and expidite his documents and insurrection trials to render him ineligible and get him out of the way. In fact, he spoke out against packing the court which would have required breaking the filibuster. I get why older Senators are in favor of doing that, but they should have nuked it.

Had he done all that, Trump would never have been eligible for the GOP nomination.

[womanofthehills]

33. According to YouGov poll - 19 thousand who voted for Joe in 2020

Stayed home. Main reason that beat out other reasons- genocide in Gaza.

[Zambero]

38. 19,000 from one small state perhaps

Gaza was a huge factor, particularly with the Muslim community, although Trump has managed to make a dire situation far worse than it was before he took office.

[sop]

7. Imagine that, a president willing to take responsibility for things that happened under his watch.

[DENVERPOPS]

18. Sadly

He was up to his eyeballs in running the nation and dealing with the world's problems. He had no time to also lead the dem Party, and in my opinion, no one stood up to lead the dem party...........therefore the poor turnout of dems during the election........
AND you must not forget the un-acknowledged amount of corruption by Trump's Cabal in the voting, and of course the massive amount of Putin's interference, along with China and other nations......

In my opinion, with all that is going on, the dems have a few firebrands, but still no leadership to speak of...............or any organization what-so-ever. They are all like a deer caught in the headlights......In my opinion........

[NNadir]

8. If history remains recorded, it will recall Joe Biden as a great man.

When he took office the destruction of the United States by an alliance of Putin and other fascists was well underway. He fought against a stacked deck nobly and tirelessly. He should not blame himself for not being even greater than he was. He should blame the American people, as much as he loved us, though that"s not his style.

[DENVERPOPS]

20. Biden was

torpedoed and sabotaged by the Republicans at every turn. He still accomplished great things, but the Repubs attack was well organized and well orchestrated, as well as relentless...........

AND those who weren't Brainwashed Trumphumpers .....walked down the jungle path, swatting at mosquitoes and were oblivious to the herd of charging elephants....(pun intended)

[Walleye]

27. They repeated outrageous slander about him, none of it even remotely true

[DENVERPOPS]

41. As Hitler's buddy Goebbels said

You repeat the same lie over and over and soon everyone thinks it is truth.....

Trump has been an extreme admirer of Hitler for decades and decades. His ex-wife even said he kept Hitler's papers on his bed night stand and would read them before bed time.....

Fox news has made that a center issue of their propaganda.......

[Torchlight]

10. He's chosen the harder path

owning his actions while keeping his heart open to unity. That balance is rare, and it shows a deep commitment to both growth and community. He kept the conversations honest and healing. As for the ones who twist this into just another excuse to throw stones—must be exhausting trying to build a personality out of outrage.

[love_katz]

14. I acknowledge that Joe is a stand up kind of guy, but I can't blame him for Dump's win.

I put the blame squarely where it belongs: the Corporate owned McGreedia who sane washed Dump while attacking everything Biden said and did, all for greed and ratings; the Republican party who chose to run a convicted felon and have been traitors to our country by selling themselves to their wealthy donor/owners going back to FDR and getting in bed with the fundy fanatics and their hate selling churches; anyone who voted for the Donvict; and the huge number of idiots who either voted 3rd party or didn't bother to vote at all. It wasn't like the performance and record of the Crime Minister was unknown or so far in the past that it couldn't be remembered.
Nope. I don't blame Joe Biden and I don't buy the both-siderism that too many people try to sell. Both sides DON'T! What is currently happening in Gaza, and the regime's efforts to deprive millions of women and the poor of our right to vote through the misnamed SAVE act, are just a couple of cases in point.

[Nasruddin]

16. Sorry he gets a piece

It was one of his jobs to make sure this didn't happen again, it did, and fwiw he takes responsibility.

There's one other thing too but let's focus on this.

[Nasruddin]

21. He gets a piece of it

It was one of his jobs to make sure this didn't happen again, it did, and fwiw he takes responsibility.

There's one other thing too but let's focus on this.

[love_katz]

26. Nope. Not from this voter.

The people who contributed to this disaster are the people who actually voted for it, and the people who sat it out because they wouldn't vote for a woman or they protest voted because of Gaza, or because no primary was held, they need to go look in the mirror if they want someone to take the blame.
Cheetolini's record from his failed first term was not ancient history that couldn't be easily known. My mother and nine other people from her nursing home died from COVID during the pandemic because Orange Foolius politicized the wearing of masks and refused to lead by example by wearing one.
The fact that the Crime Minister should never have been allowed to run for office, and that his only reason for running was to keep his traitorous ass out of jail and so he could turn the country into his personal cash box for in your face corruption for himself and his donors was being shouted from every roof top. His real agenda, corruption and theft for himself and the destruction of our democracy through Project 2025 was absolutely visible in plain sight.
Blaming Joe for this mess completely misses the real issues and takes responsibility off of the people who brought about this situation by voting directly for their hate, not bothering to vote, or protest voting.

[CTyankee]

34. I think well meaning folks engage in "if only he had realized he had a problem..." I know I did.

Kamala did a great job stepping up but we were dealing with a monster and Joe's disability at that moment in the debate was all Trump needed. I feel so sad for Joe and for Kamala who performed beautifully and courageously. I really thought she would be our first woman President...

[Mysterian]

39. Biden did a stellar job for the American people under extremely difficult circumstances

The American people bear the sole responsibility for electing a convicted felon and insurrectionist as their president. Too fucking stupid and weak to reject republican lies and sedition. The great question is whether the 90 million non-voters decide to get involved if we have honest elections in the future.

[Cirsium]

32. Both sides?

How does "both sides" enter into this?

The fire got out of control, and the fire fighter says "yes I was in charge and I take responsibility for what happened." That is to be admired and praised, and it is a start in the right direction. Blaming the arsonist is of no value, either. We can't control what the Republicans do. Blaming the voters is just lazy.

Of course the public is poorly informed. Of course the Republicans are dangerous. Our job is to inform the public and to stop the Republicans. That is our only job. When we fail it is nonsense to say that we failed because the public is ignorant and the Republicans are evil.

[love_katz]

37. I disagree.

It is our job, as voters, to make an effort to be informed.
It was painfully obvious that Agolf $hitler is a con artist, a thief, and a believer in the idea that might makes right. He's in no way qualified for the job.
Twice this country had the opportunity to vote for two highly qualified women. Misogyny resulted in the rejection of both and the election of a bully and con man who is using the country as his personal cash box for in your face corruption and the destruction of our democracy for his Project 2025 donor/owners.
I refuse to let the real culprits off the hook, which is the Republican party and everyone who votes or has voted for their agenda, going back to at least the 1960's, and the people who are not honest enough to admit their racism, classism, and misogyny, which they use as an excuse to vote for anyone other than Democrats.
I have quoted the late author, Terry Pratchett many times since the election of this maladministration: " poison goes where poison is welcome ". People who voted for this monster, or voted a protest vote, or didn't bother? They own the results.
I will give a big portion of the blame for the spread of propaganda, misinformation, and sane washing Dump's insanity totheMcGreedia, but I don't have a fancy education. I had a few scattered college classes, but nothing that amounted to any kind of degree. My parents weren't college educated and were middle of the road on politics and my dad voted Republican for his whole life. He died before Traitor ran for office.
Inspite of all that, I managed to grow up with my head on straight and an ability to be informed even while working very long hours at a low wage job. I even did the multiple jobs tap dance at different times in my life.
If I could see through the con of the Donvict, then so could other people, if they chose to make the effort. I am not letting them off the hook for being responsible for their choices. Blaming the outcome on Joe Biden is bull$hit. The choice was crystal clear and could not have been clearer. I am not buying this.

[Cirsium]

42. Thanks

You expressed that point of view well. You are seeing this as a matter of personal character. I see it as a social issue, not an individual issue. Seeing politics as being dictated by personal choices and character traits is the more common viewpoint. Is society actually merely the aggregate of personal choices and ideas, though? Or is it more like the other way around - i.e., does the structure of society, the dominant social, political and economic arrangements, which are part of a historical process, determine our choices and ideas? I say it is the latter. Religion reforms the individual. Politics reforms society.

As a practical matter, when you go after people on a personal level that is how they will respond: defensive, close-minded, resistant to change. They "take it personally." When you approach people on the social level they respond on that level, and that is politically much more powerful and effective. Example: the overwhelming response to the Sanders and AOC oligarchy theme.

One of the most successful, and damaging, accomplishments by the right wing propagandists is convincing their opposition, us, to see political and social issues as personal, individual issues. Persecution of GLBTQ then becomes about the personal - "lifestyle choices." Racism then becomes personal and subjective - "how dare you call me a racist? I don't have a racist bone in my body!" Mass media propaganda? "Change the channel!" is too often the answer right here. Police brutality? "Sue them!" Climate change? "Reduce your personal carbon footprint!" There are many, many more examples.

Politics of personal feelings and choices is a game the right wingers will always win. They can appeal to people's dark sides, to their prejudices and fears, and steer people away from social issues. That underlying context for political discussion gets reinforced by Democrats all time. It is crippling.

[love_katz]

43. My point is that it's Republicans who claim that everything bad is Democrats fault.

I don't think that taking the blame for the election of tRump is going to win people who are supposedly undecided over to the Democrats cause.
It has been Republican strategy for years to blame Democrats for everything that is a problem in our country. It looks to me like accepting the blame just plays into that strategy. Those of us who voted for Kamila are not to blame for her loss. It is 100 percent on the people who voted for the Dicktator and also on the people who chose not to vote or protest voted.
As recovery programs point out: the first step to solving a problem is to admit that the addict has one. The problem is that there were enough voters to prevent $hitler from winning. Too many people chose otherwise. They don't get to offload the responsibility for their choices. They own the results. Society didn't force them to stay home or pull the lever or fill in the circle for the Republican candidate. That's a cop out.
A case in point: the remaining residents of Gaza are being "cleared", by being forcibly removed from their homes and land. Seriously, how could anyone believe Don the Con was going to be better on that issue than Kamala!?! They chose to believe the lies. I don't live in New York, but I listened when people who know Tangerine Palpatine gave evidence that he lies.
Nope. This isn't about society. This is about the fact that the Republican party gives people the excuse to be who they are: selfish, sexist, racist, classist and conformist.
When they finally grab a clue that we all do better when everyone gets an opportunity, then we may begin to make some progress. The Republican party is the problem. That has to be faced. All the book banning, scrubbing of websites, destruction of DEIA guidelines, defunding of museums, etc, ad nauseum, will not change the ugly parts of our history. Capitulating to the haters, bigots and bullies will not solve our problems. It is just too bad for them, that for all their macho posturing, that they refuse to see that they have FAFOed. I don't want things to get worse than they are, but I didn't vote for it, and I did everything I could to get the correct information out there. The people who voted for this need to ask themselves WHY?

[Cirsium]

45. Taking the blame

Not taking the blame, taking the responsibility. Taking the responsibility is taking the power.

By the way, I feel the same way and I am not trying to invalidate what you are saying. I am suggesting a more powerful way to approach this issue. I am not letting any MAGAs off the hook in my life, and that includes some family members and friends.

[Nasruddin]

15. The test

Person woman man camera NATO Alliance

I'd say he aced it

[Cirsium]

17. That is refreshing

"I was in charge and he won, so I take responsibility."

[Wiz Imp]

23. Biden had two great slams of Trump during the interview.

JOY BEHAR: Well, Mr. President, I promised I would ask you this question, because not only, they want me to ask it, not only is he obsessed with you and blaming you for everything, he’s also obsessed with the fact that you used an autopen to sign the pardons you issued right before you left office with members of your immediate family.

Now he’s calling for investigations and claiming the pardons are void and vacant.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: He’s vacant! (LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE).

WHOOPI GOLDBERG: And on my note, we are going to break, because that was the dropping of the mic

AND

JOY BEHAR: So, I’ve noticed that Trump can’t stop talking about you, he’s obsessed with you. As of late April, he had mentioned you and your family and your administration at least 580 times.

We’re talking shrink land now, because when you’re obsessed with somebody, you have to look in yourself and say, what is going on here?

And at his Trump’s cabinet meeting last week, your name was invoked 52 times, and he blamed you for the economic mess that his tariffs are causing. Why is he so fixated on you and blaming you for everything?

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: I beat him!

(LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE)

https://www.mediaite.com/news/that-was-the-dropping-of-the-mic-view-hosts-crack-up-at-biden-trump-slam/

[yorkster]

30. Those were delicious moments. Saw them

live this am. The audience loved it.

[Ford_Prefect]

25. So a bent MSM, caged and disqualified votes, Russian and oligarch interference behind the scenes and the internet,

and 500 million spent to win had nothing to do with it? To say nothing of crooked and cooked GOP Legislatures, judges, and Governors....

[groundloop]

28. Let us not forget Russian meddling, right wing lies, Eloon, etc. etc. etc.

I respect Joe, but he's absolutely not solely to blame. Eloon flooded the internet with lies and even bought Twitter to allow tRump's lies back on that platform. There was, as always, a shit ton of Russian misinformation and meddling. And of course the ever present right wing lies and dirty tricks.

Sadly the US election system is tilted to the right and we need to work twice as hard as GOPers to counteract that fact.

[Walleye]

31. Joe and Jill looked great. It was great to see them.

And he seems at peace with his decisions, even though they are so consequential. That’s not an easy place to get to. No wonder he’s such a good diplomat.

[peacebuzzard]

35. he is owning the blame, owning it because he has been blamed in more ways than one...

he did not deserve to be blamed at all for anything. He was a great president; he was advised, excuse me, pressured; and increasingly so, to step down.
All that backstabbing should not have happened. That is all. Have a nice day.

[newdeal2]

40. Maybe he is trying to piss Trump off?

Saying he is responsible for his victory.

[republianmushroom]

44. Yep, Should of fired Merrick the Meek.