As his poll numbers plummeted and Democrats began to lose faith in his candidacy, Joseph R. Biden Jr. sat down with ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos on Feb. 9, 2020. This major TV interview was seen as a last-ditch effort to breathe new life into a presidential campaign that seemed doomed.
Despite finishing fifth in the New Hampshire primary just two days after the interview, Mr. Biden’s fortunes turned around dramatically. He went on to win South Carolina and eventually secured the presidency.
Now, as calls for him to step down from the race grow louder, Mr. Biden is once again placing his hopes on George Stephanopoulos, who has interviewed him during some of his most challenging moments.
The high-stakes interview is set to be taped in Madison, Wis., on Friday and will air at 8 p.m. Eastern. For supporters, this interview is a crucial opportunity for Mr. Biden to address concerns about his mental and physical fitness following a difficult debate against Donald J. Trump.
The interview is expected to last 15 to 25 minutes and will be broadcast in its entirety without edits. Mr. Biden’s team chose ABC for its wide viewership and reputation as a nonpartisan news outlet.
Mr. Stephanopoulos has a long history of interviewing Mr. Biden and is tasked with delicately addressing questions about the president’s age and performance, especially after the recent debate debacle.
Preparations for the interview have been underway, with key ABC News figures expected to be present for the taping. The network’s decision to air the unedited interview in prime time has sparked some controversy and conspiracy theories.
Despite the scrutiny and speculation surrounding the interview, ABC proceeded with its decision to air it on Friday night. The Walt Disney Company even agreed to interrupt a popular game show to make room for the prime-time broadcast.
Katie Rogers contributed reporting.
