Netflix Co-Founder Reed Hastings Calls for Joe Biden to Step Aside to Defeat Trump.
Netflix co-founder and executive chairman Reed Hastings has joined the growing chorus of Democrats urging Joe Biden to withdraw as the party's 2024 presidential nominee. Biden, currently seeking re-election, faced intense criticism following a poor performance in the first presidential debate against Donald Trump. This has led many Democrats to believe that Biden stepping down is essential for the party to triumph over Trump.
In an email to The New York Times, Hastings stated, “Biden needs to step aside to allow a vigorous Democratic leader to beat Trump and keep us safe and prosperous.”
Hastings and his wife, Patty Quillin, have been significant contributors to the Democratic Party, donating over $20 million in recent years. Their contributions included as much as $1.5 million to Biden's 2020 campaign and $100,000 last summer to support Biden's 2024 campaign.
Biden's underwhelming performance at the first 2024 presidential debate has created a rift within the Democratic Party. On “The View,” co-host Sara Haines suggested that Biden should step down to ensure a Democratic victory over Trump. “I think President Biden needs to step down and be replaced,” Haines remarked. “If we want to defeat Donald Trump in November, then I absolutely think that… they've got to act fast, and I would implore those closest with the President to have the very hard conversations they're going to need to have, not just for political ramifications, but for humanity, his integrity, and his legacy. That's all on the line right now.”
Alyssa Farah Griffin, another co-host on “The View,” concurred, emphasizing the threat Trump poses to democracy. “Donald Trump is a threat to our democracy. We need someone who can beat him… [Joe] needs to put country before his own ambition and he needs to step aside and pass the baton. Mark my words, if it's Trump vs. Biden, it's going to be Trump.”
Despite reports suggesting Biden might consider dropping out due to the backlash from his debate performance, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has denied such claims. “Absolutely not,” Jean-Pierre stated. “And you heard that, I believe, directly from the campaign as well.”
Variety has reached out to Netflix for additional comments.
