A source with ties to Obama opted not to respond to such questioning but directed Fox News Digital to the ex-president's previous endorsements of Biden. Obama has chosen to remain tight-lipped amid reports suggesting he is privately involved in efforts to persuade President Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race.
Several media outlets, including Politico, reported on Obama's purported actions, noting that he was informed by actor George Clooney about his critical guest essay in The New York Times urging Biden to step down. According to reports, while Obama did not actively encourage Clooney's stance, he did not oppose it either.
On MSNBC's "Morning Joe," a program favoured by Biden, host Joe Scarborough went further by stating that there is a belief within the Biden campaign and among many Democratic officials that Obama is covertly "working behind the scenes to orchestrate this move."
A source close to Obama chose not to comment directly on these reports but highlighted the former president's public expressions of support for Biden, such as during a Los Angeles fundraiser that was referenced in Clooney's op-ed, as well as following Biden's disappointing performance in the recent presidential debate.
Obama has refrained from making public statements while several of his close allies and former aides, including Clooney, former advisor David Axelrod, and the group known as the "Obama bros," have escalated their calls for Biden to step aside.
The Biden campaign remains suspicious that at such an important time for the Presidents candidacy, as well as his attempts to redeem himself after the flawed debate, Obama may be using this opportunity to target the Democratic nominee in hopes to replace him in his run for President.
