Biden to face new scrutiny in live ABC TV interview

Joe Biden’s rare live interview on the ABC will be his opportunity to show he’s still capable of remaining president but if he stumbles in any way it will only strengthen calls for him to go.

Joe Biden will appear for a rare live interview on ABC US on Saturday morning (AEST), as pressure grows on the US President after his dismal debate performance last week.

The network had planned to air preview clips of the interview throughout the weekend before showing the full interview on Sunday morning local time, but has moved the air date forward by 24 hours.

It will now be shown live at 8pm local time (10am AEST).

The President’s appearance and acuity will be under scrutiny in the ABC broadcast; unlike previous presidents, he seldom agrees to live interviews where he could be grilled and can’t rely on the teleprompter that aids him in rally speeches and other addresses.

The interview will be his most important appearance since the debate with Donald Trump, which has led to calls, including among Democrats, for the president to step down. It will be his opportunity to show he is still capable of remaining president but if he freezes or loses track of his train of thought, it will only strengthen calls for him to go.

Mr Biden will be interviewed by ABC’s George Stephanopoulos on the campaign trail; ABC News says a transcript of the unedited interview will be made available at the same time as it is aired.

On Thursday, Mr Biden was forced to reassure staffers that he wasn’t about to quit, amid reports he’d told an ally he knows he may not be able to salvage his re-election campaign if he can’t convince the public in the next few days that he is up to the job.

As a new poll showed Donald Trump has opened a six-point lead over the President, Mr Biden told an all-staff meeting: “Let me say this as clearly as I possibly can – and as simply and straightforward as I can

“I am running. I’m the nominee of the Democratic Party. No one’s pushing me out. I’m not leaving.”

He also met state governors in a move to calm nerves over his leadership, with the leaders telling reporters they still had faith in his capacity to continue as president.

On Friday (AEST), Mr Biden will host a July 4 barbecue and celebration at the White House, before watching the fireworks display from the White House grounds. He’ll also preside over the annual turkey pardon, in a ceremony that will not tax his abilities.