Axios

President Biden said Friday his poor debate performance was simply a "bad episode" and that there's "no indication of a serious condition" that would prevent him from continuing as president.

Why it matters: Biden's remarks, excerpted from his interview with ABC News, come as he's fighting Democrats' escalating concerns over whether the 81-year-old president has the mental and physical stamina to defeat Donald Trump in November, and then serve four more years.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) is set to connect with his House committee leaders just before Congress returns to session for a conversation that is expected to touch on President Biden's candidacy.

Why it matters: Next week could be a watershed moment for House Democrats, many of whom remain shaken by the president's poor debate performance and convinced he cannot beat former President Trump.

Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) is organizing a group of Senate Democrats to talk about President Biden's path forward in the 2024 election, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: Warner has approached lawmakers amid a groundswell of Democrats who have called for Biden to drop out of the race from the race after his debate performance last week.

President Biden said on Friday he will remain in the 2024 presidential race as he faces growing calls to bow out after his poor debate performance against former President Trump last week ignited alarm within the Democratic party and White House.

Why it matters: Since the debate, Biden and his senior aides have attempted to reassure voters, major donors and fellow Democrats that he can and should continue his campaign.

Former President Trump made a new bid Friday to remove special counsel Jack Smith from the classified documents case in Florida, citing the Supreme Court's recent opinion on presidential immunity.

Why it matters: The Supreme Court ruling was a partial victory for Trump, and his legal has already successfully used it to push back sentencing in New York, where he was convicted of 34 felony counts related to hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.

President Biden's hopes of putting to bed concerns about his age by sitting down with ABC's George Stephanopoulos could crash against a hardening sentiment among congressional Democrats that he needs to go.

Why it matters: Democratic lawmakers are growing increasingly restless and willing to go public with their concerns that the president is no longer capable of leading their party to victory in November.

Former President Trump on Friday disavowed the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025, which has sparked widespread news coverage about policy plans for a potential second Trump administration.

Why it matters: Project 2025 has long annoyed Trump and his top campaign officials, despite the deep links and allies shared by the two entities. Lately, Democrats have been attacking Project 2025 as a proxy for the stakes of defeating "MAGA Republicans."

President Biden is facing calls to step aside from some wealthy Democratic donors following his poorly received presidential debate performance, with at least two saying they'll pause contributions while he's still a candidate.

The big picture: Biden campaign officials held a call with anxious donors on Monday following his debate with former President Trump. But Abigail Disney, the granddaughter of Walt Disney Company cofounder Roy Disney, confirmed Thursday she'll no longer donate to the Democratic Party while Biden's in the race.

President Biden's interview with ABC News' George Stephanopoulos is airing as a primetime special Friday and will be available to stream live.

Why it matters: It's Biden's first television interview after his lackluster performance in last week's presidential debate as calls for him to withdraw as the party's presumptive nominee grow.

Many White House, Biden campaign and Democratic officials are increasingly worried that President Biden isn't up to continuing his campaign or finishing a second term, despite his insistence that he won't be pushed out.

Why it matters: Outside pressure for Biden to drop his re-election bid grew wider and louder on the Fourth of July, especially from major donors. Doubts also are rising inside the house.

A majority of Arizona's Gen Z voters plan to cast a ballot this November — but they're not happy with their options, according to a new ASU survey.

Why it matters: Young voters wield growing political power and could be the decision makers in the tight races expected in Arizona this year.

Former President Trump strongly prefers running against President Biden than another Democrat, particularly after reviewing the latest polling. But he's preparing a brutal assault on Vice President Kamala Harris if she's the nominee, advisers tell Jim VandeHei and Mike Allen for a Behind the Curtain column.

• Why it matters: Trump's attacks on her would surprise few. He'd argue Harris is too liberal, too hostile to business and secure borders, and too inexperienced, weak and phony to be president. But some of his advisers are quite concerned that a fresh, youthful, non-Biden ticket presents a bigger threat than Trump assumes.

Former President Trump yesterday gave Harris a nickname — always a sign he takes an opponent seriously, Jim and Mike write.

• "Laffin' Kamala Harris," he said on his Truth Social platform, referring to the right's spliced clips of her giddier moments. (A Trump campaign statement the day before had called her "Cackling Copilot Kamala Harris.")
• The Trump campaign's Jason Miller told us Harris "owns all of the Biden incompetence and failure, plus she adds radical ideology. Biden kowtows to California liberals. She actually is one."

Many White House, Biden campaign and Democratic officials are increasingly worried that President Biden isn't up to continuing his campaign or finishing a second term, despite his insistence that he won't be pushed out, Axios' Alex Thompson reports.

• Why it matters: Outside pressure for Biden to drop his re-election bid grew wider and louder on the Fourth of July, especially from major donors. Doubts also are rising inside the house.

U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak conceded defeat to the center-left Labour Party, which won a landslide in yesterday's general election — delivering a huge blow to the ruling Conservative Party after 14 years in power, Axios' Dave Lawler and Zachary Basu write.

• Why it matters: Incumbents are on a losing streak around the world — particularly in Europe, where inflation has fueled voter discontent. In Britain, the Conservatives' defeat was largely of their own making.

The share of U.S. adults who say they're extremely or very proud to be an American remains among the lowest levels recorded since 2001, Axios' Avery Lotz reports.

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The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has added googly-eye decals to five subway trains, giving a jaunty face to an oft-criticized agency.

MBTA general manager Phillip Eng said: "[W]e embraced a fun opportunity to make people laugh after we heard from some public transit enthusiasts who suggested adding googly eyes to our trains."

Former President Trump strongly prefers running against President Biden than another Democrat, particularly after reviewing the latest polling. But he's preparing a brutal assault on Vice President Kamala Harris if she's the nominee, advisers tell us.

Why it matters: Trump's attacks on her would surprise few. He'd argue Harris is too liberal, too hostile to business and secure borders, and too inexperienced, weak and phony to be president. But some of his advisers are quite concerned that a fresh, youthful, non-Biden ticket presents a bigger threat than Trump assumes.

The Biden-Harris campaign announced Friday a $50 million July paid media blitz in battleground states that will include "strategic investments around key events" including the Olympic Games and the Republican National Convention.

Why it matters: President Biden has faced calls from some Democrat lawmakers, Democratic donors and top U.S. newspaper editorial boards to step aside following his lackluster debate performance against former President Trump.

Cities, states and school districts are passing sweeping bans on cellphones in schools, aiming to get kids to pay attention during class and socialize with their peers IRL.

Why it matters: School cellphones policies are a difficult flashpoint: On one hand, the phones can be a useful learning tool and essential parent lifeline; on the other — well, they're a pretty obvious distraction.

Liz Truss, the shortest-serving prime minister in British history, lost her seat to a candidate representing the Labour Party, which has swept to power in the country's general election, officials confirmed Friday.

The big picture: Truss, who resigned after a tumultuous six weeks as Conservative Party leader, is the first former U.K. prime minister in nearly 90 years to lose her seat, per the Financial Times.