To 2024? Bidens playfully toast reelection bid at state dinner, supply says

Under a large tent constructed on the White House south garden and amid greater than 300 friends seated at candlelit tables, President Biden, first woman Jill Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron playfully toasted to the American president’s forthcoming reelection marketing campaign throughout final week’s state dinner, one more signal that the White House is getting ready for a 2024 bid.

The toast was confirmed to CBS News by an individual conversant in the scene.

The lighthearted alternate got here as the primary woman — seated on the head desk with the president, Macron and his spouse, Brigitte, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, different Democratic Party leaders and the actress Ariana deBose — described to dinner friends how her train routine additionally helps clear her head, particularly when she’s on the marketing campaign path.

That led Macron to ask if Jill Biden is prepared for a reelection marketing campaign. The first woman mentioned she is, prompting the French chief to show to Mr. Biden and counsel a congratulatory toast.

Macron then led the desk in a toast to Mr. Biden’s 2024 marketing campaign by elevating a glass of wine. Mr. Biden toasted with a glass of Coca-Cola, in accordance with the individual conversant in the alternate. 

Asked Wednesday, the White House did not deny the dinner banter.

“As the President has said, he intends to run for reelection and that is something both Dr. Biden and the family fully support,” a senior Biden adviser instructed CBS News.

The French Embassy in Washington had no remark when requested by CBS News.

News of the toast was first reported by The New York Times. 

That the primary woman expressed such full-throated help and anticipation of a 2024 marketing campaign is a vital signal to these contained in the White House and throughout the Democratic Party who’re awaiting a ultimate determination. Jill Biden is thought to be the president’s most trusted adviser and the one individual aside from the president who may put a cease to a different marketing campaign. And the primary woman’s feedback sign that regardless of months of public feedback the place the president seemingly hedges his dedication to a different run, the primary couple is planning to take action. 

Senior aides have additionally signaled a marketing campaign is within the works. On Monday, White House chief of workers Ron Klain instructed The Wall Street Journal CEO Council that he believes “it’s his intention to run” and that Mr. Biden will accomplish that “shortly” after the brand new 12 months.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre instructed reporters Tuesday that what Klain mentioned “was certainly in line with what the president has said most recently about 2024.”