VIRGINIA, July 3 — U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday acknowledged his performance during last Thursday’s presidential debate wasn’t his best, but blamed it on jet lag after two overseas trips earlier in June.
Speaking at a campaign event in McLean, Virginia, on Tuesday evening, Biden admitted the debate against former President Donald Trump, his Republican rival, did not go well. Biden traveled to France and Italy during two separate trips in the space of two weeks last month, flying overnight from the Group of Seven summit in Bari, Italy, to appear at a fundraiser with former President Barack Obama in Los Angeles on June 15 before returning to Washington the following day.White House officials have blamed Biden’s halting performance during the debate on a cold. Biden did not mention being sick during Tuesday’s fundraiser.