Reports: Jill Biden's influence over president scrutinized in wake of debate debacle

After what was widely described as a disastrous debate performance against former President Donald Trump over a week ago, growing numbers of Democrats are wondering how -- or even why -- Joe Biden has not withdrawn from the 2024 race.

However, it has become apparent to many that the president's wife, first lady Jill Biden, wields a significant amount of power within her marriage, and she is reportedly convinced that her husband's candidacy should continue apace, as the Washington Times reports.

Debate exposes power balance

In the immediate aftermath of the debate, observers saw that Jill Biden was taking charge of her husband's public appearances and perhaps even his political trajectory.

From walking him gingerly down the steps on the CNN stage to accompanying him to speak to a group of supporters who had gathered at a debate watch party, Mrs. Biden appeared to be the one managing the message.

For many, the effort was cringeworthy and patronizing, with the first lady loudly proclaiming at the watch party, “Joe, you did such a great job. You answered every question, you knew all the facts!”

Rather than giving any hint of concern that her spouse's debate performance was indicative of a pronounced cognitive and/or physical decline, Jill Biden reportedly assured a group of high-dollar Democratic Party donors soon after the event that the president “isn't just the right person for the job. He's the only person for the job.”

Closing ranks around Joe

Despite the growing calls from some Democrat lawmakers and a host of mainstream media outlets for Biden to bow out of the race and make way for a replacement, administration insiders have suggested, according to Axios, that it is Jill Biden -- and perhaps son Hunter together with the president's sister, Valerie -- who holds the power to make the final decision.

The outlet reported that members of the “kitchen cabinet” led largely by Jill Biden “alone hold sway over decisions big and small in Biden's life and presidency.”

Axios pointed out that “the president engaged in no organized process outside his family in deciding to run for a second term,” and suggested that it is likely the tiny group of insiders that will shape what he does next, regardless of external pressures.

While Jill Biden has often enjoyed a great deal of praise and deference from media outlets, party elites who are reportedly panicking about Joe Biden's prospects against Trump are reportedly beginning to chafe at the outsized role she appears to play in the administration.

One exasperated adviser told the outlet, “This is no longer about Joe Biden's family or his emotions. This is about our country. It's an utter f***ing disaster that has to be addressed.”

Elder abuse alleged

Mrs. Biden's apparent determination when it comes to continuing the campaign has drawn substantial criticism, including from those who have accused her of engaging in elder abuse by disregarding what many feel is her husband's obvious cognitive decline and fragile health in order to cling to her position of power and prestige.

Trump spokesperson Karoline Leavitt is among Mrs. Biden's strongest detractors, saying that the first lady “obviously knows her husband better than anyone else in this country, in this world, and she too continues to lie to the American people. It really is shameful. She's been engaging in elder abuse, and she should be held accountable for that.”

Despite reports that the president himself knows that his days as the presumptive Democratic nominee may well be numbered, the power Jill Biden appears to hold over the final decision remains a potentially determinative factor, Given that she told Vogue after the debate that she “will not let those 90 minutes define the four years he's been president” and that they “will continue to fight,” their party -- and the country -- may be in for a wild ride orchestrated by a first family that refuses to gracefully exit the stage.