President Biden expressed uncertainty about seeking a second term in the White House in 2024 if former President Donald Trump did not run, citing concerns about Trump’s potential return to office.

Speaking at a fundraiser near Boston, Biden emphasized the perceived threat to democracy posed by Trump. The president stated, “If Trump wasn’t running, I’m not sure I’d be running. But we cannot let him win for the sake of the country.”

Biden’s comments align with his longstanding emphasis on Trump’s threat to democracy, dating back to his 2019 presidential campaign launch.

REPORTER: “Would you be running if Trump wasn't running?”

*Biden creepily hobbles over to the camera*

“I expect so — I have to run”

pic.twitter.com/bUd2ISsw9Q

— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) December 6, 2023

Biden’s remarks at the fundraiser also highlighted Trump’s recent calls to repeal the Affordable Care Act, a healthcare law passed during Biden’s tenure as vice president. The president’s fundraiser in Boston was part of a broader effort to build resources for a potentially expensive re-election campaign in 2024.

BREAKING: Donald Trump says he doesn’t think Joe Biden will make it to run against him in the 2024 election pic.twitter.com/fqGIcCFjds

— ALX 🇺🇸 (@alx) December 6, 2023

When questioned about seeking re-election if Trump decided against running, Biden replied, “I expect so. But, look, he is running, and I just – I have to run.” He clarified that he would not drop out if Trump left the race, emphasizing his commitment to running for a second term. Trump remains a dominant figure in the GOP and a leading candidate for the party’s presidential nomination in 2024, despite facing indictments earlier in the year.

Biden, who made history as the oldest person elected president in 2020, has considered himself the Democrats’ best chance to prevent Trump’s return to the White House. However, the president faces challenges, including concerns about his approval ratings, stamina, and potential dissatisfaction among voters with the prospect of a Biden-Trump rematch in 2024. Recent polls indicate a competitive race between the two, with Trump leading among Republicans and concerns raised across party lines about a rematch between the two candidates.