Biden says he is more likely to run in 2024 if Trump is his rival

by Andrew Restusia | UPDATED December 22nd, 2021 09:17 PM EST

In a rare television interview, the President also said that he regretted not taking action as soon as possible to get free COVID-19 tests at home for the public.

President Biden said he looked forward to running for re-election against Donald Trump in 2024 and regretted that he did not act more quickly to buy at-home COVID-19 tests to distribute to the public.

In an interview with ABC News that aired on Wednesday night, Mr Biden, 79, said he plans to run for re-election if he remains healthy. “If I am in health now – if I am in good health – then, in fact, I will run again,” he said.

Asked about running if that meant facing off against Mr. Trump if he was the Republican nominee, Mr. Biden smiled and said, “You’re trying to woo me right now. Sure. I’m up against Donald Trump.” Why won’t I run, if he is nominated? It will increase my chances of running.”

Mr Trump has said he is seriously considering another race for president, but has not made a decision. A spokesman for Mr Trump did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Mr Biden’s aides have repeatedly underscored his intentions to run for a second term. However, because of his age, some fellow Democrats have speculated whether Biden will run and which candidate might jump if he doesn’t.

For the first time ever, the President publicly expressed regret about not taking action to distribute free at-home COVID-19 tests to the public. Biden announced on Tuesday that his administration plans to buy and distribute 500 million such tests starting in January, amid mounting criticism over the lack of tests in many parts of the country.

“I wish I had thought about ordering” half a billion home tests two months ago, Biden said.

The president defended his administration’s efforts to tackle the pandemic. “Nothing has been good enough,” he said, acknowledging that the administration should always try to do more. But he said the country has come a long way since the start of the pandemic.

“Last Christmas, we were in a situation where we had very little vaccinations – people vaccinated – emergency rooms were full,” he said. “You had severe backups in hospitals that were causing great difficulties. We are now in a position where we have 200 million people fully vaccinated.”

Mr Biden has conducted fewer interviews with the national news media than his predecessors. As president he has conducted 15 other media interviews, far fewer than those of Mr Trump and President Barack Obama, according to former CBS News reporter Mark Knowler, who keeps detailed records of the president’s activities.

Mr Biden again said that passengers on his administration’s domestic flights are not required to be fully vaccinated, as some public health officials have recommended.

“It has been considered, but the recommendation I have received is not necessary,” Biden said.

He said he believed those responsible for the January 6 riots at the Capitol should be held accountable, even if it involved members of the Trump administration. “No matter where it goes,” he said, “the people responsible must be held accountable.”