WASHINGTON ― In an exclusive YSL News interview, President Joe Biden expressed his main concern regarding a potential second term for Donald Trump, shared insights from his post-election meeting with the president-elect, and reflected on what might have been if he had remained in the 2024 presidential race.

This conversation between Biden and Susan Page, the Washington Bureau chief for YSL News, took place in the Oval Office on Sunday and represents the only exit interview Biden has provided to a print outlet as his presidency comes to a close in less than two weeks.

When Biden took office four years prior, he campaigned on a platform aimed at reclaiming the “soul of the nation” after four years under Trump. However, on January 20, he will attend Trump’s inauguration ceremony at the Capitol, marking a significant event as both the new and old presidents come together.

Here are seven key points from the interview:

Biden Believes He Could Have Beaten Trump

Biden expressed confidence that if he had stayed in the race, he could have defeated Trump, although he voiced doubts about his ability to serve another full term until the age of 86.

“It’s a bit forward of me to claim that, but based on the polling, I believe I could have done it,” said the 82-year-old Biden when asked if he thought he could win the 2024 election.

Biden exited the race in late July under pressure from senior Democrats following a challenging debate performance, which highlighted his struggles with clarity of thought and making a compelling argument against Trump. Vice President Kamala Harris subsequently consolidated support to gain the Democratic nomination.

Biden’s reference to polling remains ambiguous as he consistently trailed Trump in both national and key state polls during the campaign. Following Biden’s departure from the race, Harris effectively closed the gap on Trump’s leads but ultimately lost in all seven pivotal swing states.

Had Biden persisted and emerged victorious, would he have had the energy to serve another four years?

“I can’t say for sure,” Biden remarked. “When Trump was running for re-election, I really felt I had a strong chance against him. However, I was also not eager to be president at 85 or 86. So I discussed handing over the leadership. But who knows what the future holds? So far, I feel fine, but who can predict what I’ll be like at 86?”

Biden Urged Trump Not to ‘Settle Scores’

Biden mentioned he advised Trump against looking to “settle scores” with political rivals and remains undecided on possibly granting preemptive pardons to individuals like former Rep. Liz Cheney and Anthony Fauci, among others.

The outgoing president described a meeting with Trump on November 13, which occurred shortly after Trump’s victory over Harris.

“I was upfront with Trump after his election. I invited him right away to the White House and spent two hours with him,” Biden shared. “I aimed to convey that there was no real need for him to revisit old grievances.”

Biden mentioned that he received no definitive response from Trump on this discussion.

“He didn’t outright disagree or agree. He simply listened without giving a clear response,” Biden noted.

Biden and his White House team have contemplated possible preemptive pardons for political adversaries whom they fear might face retaliation from Trump’s administration. However, the idea of preemptively pardoning individuals who have not been charged with crimes raises numerous legal issues that could deter Biden from moving ahead with it.

Biden Shares Trump’s Positives

Biden also recounted that during the same meeting, Trump complimented some of his policies.

“He expressed positive thoughts about certain economic policies I implemented,” Biden stated. “He indicated that he felt I was leaving the presidency with a good record.”

Biden did not go into detail about which specific initiatives Trump recognized. Earlier in the interview, Biden highlighted his major legislative achievements, including extensive infrastructure investments, a boost in clean energy production, and advancements in the microchip industry to counter China.

It’s possible that Trump was simply being polite during their amicable meeting, as both fierce opponents aimed to show a smooth and peaceful transition of authority.

However, Trump has consistently pointed out that Biden’s presidency and policies have led to the nation’s decline. His electoral victory was partly fueled by the electorate’s ongoing worries about the economy and inflation.

Biden hopes Hunter Biden’s pardon won’t establish a new standard

Biden expressed his hope that the recently granted pardon for Hunter Biden won’t lead to future presidents following in the same footsteps, explaining that his decision was influenced by the specific context surrounding his son’s federal legal issues.

“I hope not,” Biden replied when questioned if his son’s pardon could create a precedent that could lead to misuse in future situations.

For months, Biden maintained that he wouldn’t pardon Hunter Biden, but mentioned that two factors ultimately influenced his decision to reverse that stance.

Regarding Hunter Biden’s tax fraud conviction, Biden pointed out that his son had repaid all the owed taxes. Concerning the gun charges, Biden noted that “no one has ever been prosecuted” under the law his son broke: submitting false information about his drug use on a form during a gun purchase in 2018.

In announcing the pardon, Biden expressed his intention to protect Hunter from potential upcoming charges under Trump’s Department of Justice.

“He was battling a drug addiction,” Biden said, referring to his 54-year-old son. “He has overcome it. He has been clean and sober for nearly six years now.”

Biden’s top concern about a potential second Trump term

Biden has often labeled Trump a danger to democracy, but during his recent comments, he highlighted a different primary concern—protecting the legacy of his economic and environmental legislation—if Trump were re-elected.

“With regards to the economy, my biggest fear is that he will attempt to dismantle parts of the climate act,” Biden noted, mentioning the Inflation Reduction Act, which he signed into law in 2022. “There’s a risk he could undo the regulations imposed on pharmaceutical companies.”

The Inflation Reduction Act allocated billions in incentives to encourage companies to boost production of clean energy goods like solar panels and electric cars, aiming to cut carbon emissions by approximately 40 percent by 2030.

This law also allowed Medicare for the first time to negotiate directly with drug manufacturers to make prescription medications more affordable.

Nonetheless, Biden foresaw challenges for Trump in trying to reverse the Inflation Reduction Act. He noted the popularity of the investments occurring in Republican-led areas.

“I think he’s going to encounter issues,” Biden remarked with a chuckle. ” I won’t name names because I can’t verify it, but I’ve heard that there are several very conservative members of his House and Senate who have already said, ‘Don’t interfere with the project in my state. Don’t hinder plans A, B, C, or D. They are planning to invest $3 billion to set up a factory here.’”

Biden concluded: “I’m not sure how he can go about eliminating these investments.”

Biden Reflects on Missed Opportunities for Recognition

Biden shared his frustration about not being able to swiftly implement more projects from his infrastructure and climate legislation. The president expressed that he wished he had acknowledged more of his administration’s achievements.

“I believe we could have been significantly better off if we had worked harder to get these projects initiated sooner,” Biden commented.

Biden highlighted a gap between the long-term nature of these projects and the urgent economic concerns people face today.

“We enacted a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill. That’s great, right? But it hasn’t had an immediate effect on people’s lives. However, there are already 66,000 projects in progress. Some are billion-dollar bridges. These initiatives will generate significant wealth and jobs, but they require time to mature,” he explained.

Biden noted he could have done more to inform Americans that “the government facilitated this for you,” in reference to projects within their neighborhoods. He contrasted this with Trump’s decision to put his name on the stimulus checks during the COVID-19 crisis, a move Biden did not replicate during his own administration’s aid distribution.

“I doubt that Donald Trump comprehends these matters as thoroughly as I do,” Biden remarked. “But when my administration released the rescue plan, he had his name on that check—the first check sent to those families, all of whom he now opposes.”

Biden’s Vision for His Presidential Legacy

As he approaches the end of his term after four years—marking the conclusion of a political journey spanning five decades—Biden articulated his desire for history to recognize his presidency on two key aspects.

“I hope history remembers that I came with a strategy to revive the economy and restore America’s global leadership,” said Biden, who took office in January 2021 during a challenging pandemic and overstrained relationships with key allies. “That is my aspiration.”

“And I wish it to be recorded that I executed this with honesty and integrity, that I communicated my thoughts openly,” he added.

In terms of foreign policy, Biden emphasized his achievements in reinstating alliances. He called for ongoing U.S. leadership internationally as certain factions of the Republican Party lean toward isolationism from global issues.

“I believe America is crucial for global leadership,” Biden stated. “To frame it plainly: Who else guides the world if we don’t? It’s not a joke. Who creates and fosters the international coalitions and policies that are widespread? The world is indeed getting smaller, my friends.”