Biden claims at posh NJ fundraiser that his debate debacle impressed undecided voters By Katherine Donlevy Published June 30, 2024, 12:21 a.m. ET
During the star-studded event, a plane toting a streamer reading “BI-DONE!” soared across the sky
President Biden went to a posh fundraiser at a New Jersey mansion Saturday and reportedly claimed to the crowd that his gaffe-filled, disastrous debate against Donald Trump actually converted undecided voters to his camp.
The 81-year-old Commander-in-Chief made the dubious declaration at a private event at the home of New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, which his wife announced had raised $3.7 million, NJ.com reported.
While Biden admitted to the small crowd that his debate performance was lackluster — prompting several major newspapers to call on him to bow out of his reelection bid — he said voters interpreted the event differently.
“Research during the debate shows us converting more undecided voters than Trump did, in large part because of his conduct on Jan. 6,” Biden told the several dozen people at the party, the news site said.
“People remember the bad things during his presidency.”
Independent voters weren’t the only ones Biden claimed to have won the support of — he also told the New Jersey crowd that his polling numbers among Democrats moved up after the debate.
The notion flies in the face of several surveys released in the last two days, including one commissioned by The Post that saw Biden’s support dwindle after taking on Trump.
“I didn’t have a great night, but I’m going to be fighting harder,” Biden told the crowd, the report said.
First Lady Jill Biden tried to assuage the supporters, saying her presidential husband had admitted his poor performance as soon as he came off the stage.
“You know, Jill, I don’t know what happened. I didn’t feel that great,” she called him telling her.
The private fundraiser was the second of the day that the Bidens attended.
Earlier, the couple rubbed elbows with mega-donors at the Hamptons home of hedge-fund billionaire Barry Rosenstein and his wife Lizanne.
Celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick, as well as business leaders Loews Hotels CEO Jonathan Tisch and his socialite wife Lizzie, were said to have been in attendance — and to have shelled out as much as $250,000 to attend the party.
During the star-studded event, a plane toting a streamer reading “BI-DONE!” soared across the sky.
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