The New York Times Editorial Board is suggesting that President Joe Biden step out of the 2024 presidential race following his troubling debate encounter with former President Donald Trump on Thursday night.

‘The United States needs a stronger opponent to the presumptive Republican nominee,’ stated the Times editorial board, which functions independently from its newsroom. The editorial writers highlighted the ‘stakes for the country and the uneven abilities of Mr. Biden.’

Biden’s performance in the debate with Trump has alarmed many Democrats, leading to widespread calls for him to reconsider his candidacy. His voice was shaky, and he seemed to falter when addressing a question concerning the economy.

The Times op-ed piece further criticizes Biden, noting that ‘the president is engaged in a reckless gamble,’ and remarking that ‘it’s too big a bet to simply hope Americans will overlook or discount Mr. Biden’s age and infirmity that they see with their own eyes.’

On Friday, at an animated campaign rally in Raleigh, N.C., Biden sought to shift the conversation regarding the debate with Trump. ‘I know I’m not a young man − to state the obvious,’ Biden admitted. ‘Folks, I don’t walk as easy as I used to. I don’t speak as smoothly as I used to. I don’t debate as well as I used to. But I know what I do know: I know how to tell the truth.’

Biden made it clear he has no intention of exiting the race and expressed assurance in his capability to serve if reelected. Should he complete a full second term, he would be 86 by the end of his tenure. Notably, Trump is also advanced in age, being 78, making them the oldest presumptive candidates in American presidential history.