WASHINGTON ― In a reflective yet defensive discussion about his presidency, President Joe Biden told YSL News that he believes he might have secured a second term. However, he admitted that he is uncertain if he could have managed four more years in office due to his age.

“So far, so good,” he remarked. “But who knows how I will feel when I’m 86?”

During this exit interview focused on politics, policy, and family, the president indicated he has not yet made up his mind about possibly issuing preemptive pardons before his term ends in two weeks, a rare action previously taken by only three presidents.

On a chilly Sunday afternoon, with a fire crackling in the fireplace and a large portrait of FDR above the mantle, the 46th president sat at the Resolute Desk. With FDR as his inspiration, he expressed a desire to clarify his accomplishments as he nears the close of his presidency.

Biden mentioned he was thinking about granting pardons to notable individuals like former Republican congresswoman Liz Cheney and former health official Dr. Anthony Fauci, who face potential investigations and legal actions from incoming president Donald Trump.

Following the November election, Biden had a conversation with Trump in the Oval Office, where he advised the president-elect against pursuing investigations into those who criticized him, especially Cheney, who had a significant role in his impeachment efforts.

“I indicated that there was no reason to do so, and it would be counterproductive for him,” Biden recalled. “Trump didn’t outright refuse, but he didn’t make any commitments; he mainly just listened.”

Biden stated that his decision regarding pardons would slightly depend on who Trump appoints to key administration positions. The president-elect has nominated former Florida attorney general Pam Bondi for the Justice Department and vocal supporter Kash Patel for the FBI.

It has been over fifty years since a young Joe Biden, then a lively 28-year-old lawyer, won his first election by defeating a Republican incumbent for a seat on the New Castle County Council in Delaware. Now, at 82, and after an extensive career spanning 35 years in the Senate, eight years as vice president, and four years as president, he doesn’t seem eager to leave his final elected position.

“This is quite a memorable time, isn’t it?” he said, smiling at a reporter just hours before a powerful snowstorm was expected to hit the capital. “I mean, who would’ve thought?”

‘Who really knows?’

Concerns about Biden’s age and cognitive abilities intensified after a shaky debate performance against Trump in June. Democratic leaders, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, worried that Biden might be overmatched against Trump and even urged him to drop out of the race, a highly unusual request at such a late stage in the campaign.

He eventually withdrew in July, leading Vice President Kamala Harris to become the Democratic nominee, who then lost in November.

Could he have won the election?

“It’s a bit presumptuous to say, but I believe yes,” Biden stated, explaining that his belief was based on polling data he’d seen. However, he expressed doubt about his energy levels to serve another four years. “I can’t say for sure,” he admitted.

Many analysts, however, suggest that it would have been challenging for Biden to win another term, given voter dissatisfaction with inflation and a desire for change. His hesitant movement and occasional verbal slip-ups have also raised questions about his suitability for office.

Throughout the nearly hour-long interview, Biden remained engaged and talkative, although at times he spoke softly, making it hard to catch everything he said. He had index cards with main points on his desk but only consulted them once, almost at the end, to ensure he covered everything crucial to him.

He became particularly animated when discussing his son Hunter’s journey to sobriety, referring to him not as a source of embarrassment but as a resilient individual who has made him proud.

Biden acknowledged that his age is indeed a factor in public perception.

“I had no intention of running after Beau died – I’m serious, not joking,” Biden noted, referring to the death of his eldest son in 2015 from brain cancer. This family tragedy marked a poignant moment at the end of his political journey’s first phase, echoing his early struggles when he lost his first wife and infant daughter in a car accident.

In 2020, as Trump was campaigning for reelection, I genuinely believed I had a strong chance to defeat him. However, I also wasn’t inclined to run for president at 85 or 86 years old. So, I explained my desire to pass the leadership torch to a new generation of Democratic leaders, which many interpreted as a sign that I wouldn’t pursue a second term.

“But I really don’t know,” Biden remarked when asked if he could handle the world’s toughest job for another four years. “Who the hell knows?”

Addressing Significant Global Changes

Biden stated that his extensive experience has been beneficial for international relations.

“One advantage of being older is that I’ve known every significant world leader for quite a while. This has given me unique insights into each of them and their interests,” he explained. Having chaired the Senate Foreign Relations Committee prior to two terms as vice president, he believes this background helped him navigate essential global shifts in regions such as Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia.

He mentioned that he worked to restore alliances that Trump had weakened during his first term and managed a crucial shift in history. As he prepares to leave office, all American military personnel are out of overseas conflicts, although the U.S. remains heavily invested in the crises in Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas situation in Gaza.

“The world is becoming increasingly interconnected,” he said, emphasizing America’s pivotal role on the global stage. This perspective contrasts sharply with Trump’s “America First” approach, which advocates for a less engaged American government in international matters. “What’s happening in Japan is significantly influenced by events in Ukraine. Likewise, developments in Zambia have implications for the Gulf region.”

Interviews like this have been scarce during Biden’s presidency. He has conducted fewer press conferences and one-on-one meetings with journalists than any leader since Ronald Reagan. YSL News is the sole print outlet set to interview him as he concludes his term.

The decision to allow this interview indicates that, while Biden retains global attention, he aims to highlight his substantial and positive achievements. The underlying message: His presidency’s impact should not be measured solely against controversies surrounding his health, his fluctuating presidential ambitions, or his broad pardon for his son.

“I hope history will recall that I had a strategy to revive the economy and restore America’s global leadership,” Biden stated. “That’s what I aimed for. Who really knows, though? I also hope it notes that I executed this with honesty and integrity, openly sharing my thoughts.”

Signs of the end of his term were evident everywhere. The press room was nearly vacant, with one journalist dozing in a chair. White House employees were quietly leading tours of the West Wing for their families and friends while they still could, peeking into important rooms like the Roosevelt Room and the Cabinet Room.

Later that day, Biden would head to the East Room to sign the Social Security Fairness Act, which expands benefits for millions of retirees and is one of his last significant legislative actions.

A Surprising Compliment from Trump

Regarding the economy, Biden defended the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan and other measures enacted post-COVID-19 as essential for fostering growth and employment, though the extensive spending has drawn criticism for contributing to inflation. “We did invest money, but we achieved a soft landing without a recession,” he noted, as many economists had predicted an unavoidable economic downturn.

“How can America lead the world in a transformed environment without top-tier infrastructure, a superior education system, and the best healthcare available? These are essentials I believed were necessary.”

While grocery prices and rent continue to strain millions of American households, inflation rates have eased somewhat. As Biden prepares to exit office, the unemployment rate is nearly at historic lows, stock markets have risen, and the economy is on an upward trajectory.

In public, Trump has labeled the nation as “a disaster” and “a mess.” Yet privately, during their meeting, Trump commended Biden. “He offered me praise regarding some of the economic measures I’ve taken and mentioned he felt I was leaving with a solid record,” Biden said.

The history of these two leaders will be closely linked, with Trump’s two terms enclosing Biden’s single term. They present vastly different views on basic issues, including the role of democratic institutions and the significance of political norms.

Ultimately, one may emerge as a reflection of the nation’s future direction, while the other could be seen as a temporary divergence.

Biden warned that Trump’s proposed policies could endanger the economic progress achieved.

“If he pushes through a $5 trillion tax cut, or implements widespread tariff hikes, he’ll only drive consumer prices higher. Additionally, if he dismantles key programs like the rescue plan, infrastructure initiatives, or climate measures, he risks harming not only himself but the wider economy,” Biden said.

Biden’s successor, who was also once his predecessor, has promised to reverse much of his legacy. Biden is working to make this challenging by allocating billions from the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill to Republican-led states and districts, projects that have now gained approval from some of the Republican representatives involved.

“This approach helps secure a shift in economic policy,” Biden expressed. He remains hopeful.

Biden’s Greatest Disappointments

Does he have regrets? Certainly.

Biden identified his most significant disappointment as his inability to effectively combat misinformation, particularly from Trump. He acknowledged that this challenge reflects the transformation in how Americans consume news and who they trust as sources.

“Due to how information is currently disseminated, there are no editors available to dismiss falsehoods,” Biden remarked. He referenced Trump’s rhetoric concerning migration threats, although he somewhat conflated details from two recent incidents.

There have been incidents involving trucks connected to Army veterans, one taking place in New Orleans and the other in Las Vegas.

“The individual in Las Vegas is a veteran, who was born and raised in this country,” Biden remarked. “Yet, the soon-to-be president claims: ‘It’s obvious. We’re facing an invasion from the south. These immigrants are the root of our issues.’ … I would wager that about 70% of the people hearing this accept it as fact. How do we confront that?”

In Las Vegas, the person responsible for the explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump hotel was allegedly a Trump supporter. This individual left behind statements referring to the act as a “wake-up call” and suggested that the U.S. was “terminally ill and on the verge of collapse.”

In New Orleans, the individual who drove a truck into a crowd in the French Quarter was a Texas native who had been radicalized by the Islamic State, also known as ISIS.

“When I mentioned that the criminals arriving here are far more dangerous than those already in our nation, that claim was repeatedly challenged by Democrats and the fake news media, but it has turned out to be accurate,” Trump posted on Truth Social following the New Orleans incident.

Biden also voiced his annoyance regarding the delay in starting infrastructure projects. “Historians will reflect on the significant impact, but it hasn’t made an immediate difference in people’s everyday lives,” he acknowledged. “I truly believe we would have been in a much better position had we expedited the initiation of these projects.”

“And so, I don’t feel I have been very effective at − ” He hesitated.

Taking credit?

“Or not just me, but ensuring people recognize that the government was responsible for this work on their behalf.”