For years, Democrats defended President Joe Biden and dismissed concerns about his age, leadership, and ability to serve another four years.
Now, one of the most powerful figures in the Democratic Party is openly admitting what many Americans were already thinking.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton delivered a stunning rebuke of Biden during a public discussion in New York City on Monday, blaming his decision to seek reelection for helping pave the way for President Donald Trump’s historic return to the White House.
Speaking with New Yorker editor David Remnick, Clinton argued that Biden made a serious error when he chose to run for a second term instead of stepping aside and allowing a new generation of Democrats to compete for the nomination.
According to Clinton, Biden had previously signaled that he would serve as a bridge to younger leadership. Had he followed through on that plan, she believes Democrats would have held a competitive primary and entered the 2024 election in a much stronger position.
“He made a terrible mistake,” Clinton said, referring to Biden’s decision to remain in the race.
The former Democratic presidential nominee suggested that almost any major Democrat who emerged from an open primary contest could have had a better chance against Trump than the party ultimately did.
Her comments represent one of the most direct criticisms of Biden from a top Democrat since the party’s devastating defeat in the 2024 election.
WATCH:
Hillary Clinton said former President Joe Biden made a “terrible mistake” by running for reelection in 2024, arguing another Democratic nominee would have defeated President Trump had the party held a competitive primary.
“He made a terrible mistake for himself, his legacy and… pic.twitter.com/6yakfsCMfv
— CBS News (@CBSNews) June 16, 2026
Biden’s Campaign Collapse
Questions about Biden’s age and mental sharpness intensified throughout 2024, but concerns exploded after his disastrous debate performance against Trump in June.
Millions of Americans watched as Biden struggled through key moments of the debate, fueling widespread doubts about whether he was capable of serving another term.
The fallout was immediate.
Democratic donors, party leaders, media figures, and elected officials began openly questioning whether Biden should remain the nominee.
Just weeks later, Biden ended his reelection campaign.
His withdrawal came so late in the election cycle that Democrats had little time to regroup.
Rather than holding a competitive primary, the party quickly rallied behind Vice President Kamala Harris, who became the nominee without receiving votes through a traditional primary process.
Trump’s Political Comeback
The strategy failed to stop Trump’s momentum.
Trump went on to win the White House and carried every major battleground state, completing one of the most remarkable political comebacks in modern American history.
Many Democrats have continued debating what went wrong, but Clinton’s comments place much of the responsibility directly on Biden’s shoulders.
Her remarks also highlight growing divisions within the Democratic Party as leaders search for answers following Trump’s victory.
A Growing Debate Inside The Democratic Party
Clinton’s criticism is significant because it comes from one of the party’s most recognizable and influential figures.
For years, many Democrats avoided publicly questioning Biden’s decisions. Now, some party leaders appear increasingly willing to discuss whether different choices could have produced a different outcome.
As attention begins shifting toward the 2028 presidential race, the debate surrounding Biden’s legacy is likely to intensify.
One question continues to hang over the Democratic Party:
Would an open primary have stopped Donald Trump’s return to the White House?
Thanks to Hillary Clinton’s latest comments, that debate is far from over.