Netflix co-founder and executive chairman, Reed Hastings, has added his voice to the growing chorus of Democrats urging President Joe Biden to step down as the party’s nominee for the 2024 presidential election.
Despite Biden’s bid for re-election, his performance in the first presidential election debate against Donald Trump has led to calls for a change in candidate to better position the party against Trump.
“Biden needs to step aside to allow a vigorous Democratic leader to beat Trump and keep us safe and prosperous,” Hastings said in an email to The New York Times.
Hastings and his wife, Patty Quillin, have been significant donors to the Democratic Party, contributing over $20 million in recent years, including $1.5 million to Biden’s 2020 campaign. They donated an additional $100,000 last summer to support Biden’s 2024 campaign.
The first 2024 presidential debate has seemingly divided Democrats. On “The View,” co-host Sara Haines asserted that Biden should step aside to enhance the party’s chances of defeating Trump. “I think President Biden needs to step down and be replaced,” Haines said. “If we want to defeat Donald Trump in November, then I absolutely think that… they’ve got to act fast, and I would implore those closest with the President to have the very hard conversations they’re going to need to have and not just for political ramifications, but for humanity, his integrity, and his legacy. That’s all on the line right now.”
Alyssa Farah Griffin, another co-host on “The View,” echoed Haines’ sentiments. “Donald Trump is a threat to our democracy. We need someone who can beat him…[Joe] needs to put country before his own ambition and he needs to step aside and pass the baton. Mark my words, if it’s Trump vs. Biden, it’s going to be Trump.”
Despite these calls, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has firmly denied that Biden is considering dropping out. “Absolutely not,” Jean-Pierre stated, reinforcing the campaign’s stance.
