Joe Biden admits it was a ‘mistake’ to discuss putting Donald Trump in ‘the Bullseye’ days before assassination attempt
JOE Biden has admitted it was a mistake to discuss putting Donald Trump "in the bullseye" just days before an attempted assassination on the former president.
In an interview with NBC's Lester Holt on Monday, Biden stressed he was referring to the level of focus on Trump's agenda at the time, insisting there was not enough.
However, the president defended his statement, saying in hindsight he regrets using the word "bullseye" after Saturday's attempted assassination of Donald Trump.
But Biden stresses his message remains the same.
"What I was talking about at the time was there is very little focus on Trump's agenda." the president told Holt.
"I didn't mean crosshairs or bullseye," Biden explained.
"I meant to focus on him, focus on what he is doing, focus on his policies, focus on the number of lies he told at the debate, there is a whole range of things," Biden said.
"I'm not the guy who said I want to be a dictator on day one, I'm not the guy who refused to accept the outcome of the election," he continued.
When asked if he feels there is anything he has said in the past that may have "incited" people, Biden again defended his past statements.
"I'm not engaged in that rhetoric," he said.
"How do you talk about the threat to democracy, which is real, when a president says the things that he says," Biden asked Holt.
"Do you just not say because it may incite somebody?"
Biden then attacked Trump, saying the former is actively engaged in that type of rhetoric, citing past statements from Trump such as the country turning into a "bloodbath" if he were to lose the upcoming election.
“Now if I don’t get elected, it’s going to be a bloodbath for the country, that will be the least of it," Trump said at an Ohio rally in March.
“If this election isn’t won, I’m not sure that you’ll ever have another election in this country," Trump added.
Biden attacked this statement and others, such as Trump promising to pardon all those found guilty of crimes involving January 6, and even when Trump made jokes about Nancy Pelosi's husband being attacked with a hammer.
Biden said he believes these statements are examples of Trump and his use of real violent rhetoric that is actually responsible for the turmoil this election cycle.
'WE MUST STAND TOGETHER'
On Sunday, both Trump and Biden called for unity within the country after Saturday's attempt on Trump's life.
In only his third speech given from the Oval Office, Biden spoke to the American people on Sunday in a 9-minute speech calling for peace.
"My fellow Americans, I want to speak to you tonight about the need for us to lower the temperature in our politics," Biden said.
"Do remember, while we may disagree, we are not enemies. We’re neighbors, we’re friends, coworkers, citizens, and most importantly, we are fellow Americans. We must stand together."
“Disagreement is inevitable in American democracy,” Biden continued.
“I had all prepared an extremely tough speech, really good, all about the corrupt, horrible administration,” he told The Post about a speech he had prepared for this week's Republican National Convention.
“But I threw it away," Trump, who was officially named the Republican Party's nominee, said on Monday.
Trump said he is reworking his speech in an attempt "to try to unite the country."
"I don’t know if that’s possible," he said.
"People are very divided.”
Trump made his first public appearance since Saturday's assassination attempt just two days later on day one of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
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Trump did not speak during Monday's appearance at the convention, only showing up for the final hour of speeches.
But the former president announced his speech would go on as planned for Thursday, saying he did not want to let the attempt on his life impact his campaign schedule.
Donald Trump Rally Shooting Reaction
Dozens of politicians and celebrities have offered their support for the former president after he was reportedly grazed by gunfire at his Pennsylvania rally on July 13.
President Biden held a brief press conference just after 8 pm ET. He said he was hoping to speak to Trump.
"Look, there's no place in America for this kind of violence. It's sick," the president continued. "We cannot condone this."
Vice President Harris said she was "relieved" Trump was not seriously injured.
"Violence such as this has no place in our nation," she continued.
Former President Obama said on X: "There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy.
"Although we don’t yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasn’t seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics. Michelle and I are wishing him a quick recovery.
Donald Trump, Jr shared a photo of his father raising a fist moments after he was shot with the caption: "He'll never stop fighting to Save America."
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr said: "Now is the time for every American who loves our country to step back from the division, renounce all violence, and unite in prayer for President Trump and his family."
Tesla CEO Elon Musk said: "I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery."
Britain's new Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer took to X to say: "I am appalled by the shocking scenes at President Trump's rally and we send him and his family our best wishes.
"Political violence in any form has no place in our societies and my thoughts are with all the victims of this attack."
Reform leader and newly elected MP Nigel Farage said it is a "miracle" that his friend is still alive.
Farage told Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips: "I was very upset when I heard the news late last night, Donald Trump survived by a miracle, frankly.
"But one innocent man is dead, two are fighting for their lives in hospital. It's horrible, and yet somehow not surprising."
Former PM Boris Johnson also gave his condolences to Trump and his family as he said it shows "the tragic fragility of democracy in the face of violence and unreason".
Ukrainian PM Volodymyr Zelensky, who has been a target for assassins in the past, also said he was "appalled" by the events in the US.
"Such violence has no justification and no place anywhere in the world. Never should violence prevail," he said on X.
"I extend my wishes for strength to everyone who is horrified by this event. I wish America emerges stronger from this."