President Joe Biden has claimed that his disastrous debate with former President Donald Trump somehow garnered more support from undecided voters, despite receiving widespread criticism for his performance. Speaking at a fundraiser hosted by New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, Biden admitted that his showing in the debate was less than stellar but maintained it still worked in his favor.

“I didn’t perform at my best, but I’m ready to fight harder,” Biden told the gathering of donors. “Our analysis shows that more undecided voters leaned towards us after the debate, mainly because they remember the negative aspects of Trump’s presidency.”

This perspective contrasts sharply with reactions from the media and political analysts, who have called Biden’s debate performance lackluster. The New York Times editorial board suggested that Biden might consider stepping aside for a stronger Democratic candidate, though they still expressed a preference for Biden over Trump.

“The president struggled to articulate his plans and respond effectively to Trump’s provocations,” the editorial board noted. “While Biden remains our choice if it comes down to him and Trump, the country would benefit from a more capable opponent to Trump.”

During the debate, Biden’s missteps included a confusing statement about healthcare that ended with, “We finally beat Medicare,” which drew significant media attention. Additionally, he incorrectly claimed that no American soldiers have died during his presidency, despite multiple incidents including the deaths of 13 service members in Afghanistan in August 2021.

Deputy Defense Department Press Secretary Sabrina Singh confirmed the inaccuracy of Biden’s claim, acknowledging the loss of American lives during his term. This includes a drone strike in Jordan and an incident involving Navy SEALs trying to intercept Iranian weapons.

At a rally in Raleigh, North Carolina, following the debate, Biden admitted his speaking abilities have declined but insisted he remains capable of fulfilling presidential duties. “I know how to do this job and get things done,” he stated.

Former President Barack Obama defended Biden, comparing his poor debate performance to his own during the 2012 election against Mitt Romney. “Bad debate nights happen. Trust me, I know,” Obama posted on social media.

Despite the criticism, Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison emphasized continued support for Biden among Democrats, particularly within the Black community. “Joe Biden has always had our back, and we’re going to have his,” Harrison told MSNBC.

However, there remains significant debate within the party about Biden’s ability to lead effectively in another term, with many calling for new leadership to ensure a strong opposition to Trump in the upcoming election.