The final days: How Biden and his inner circle blew it

There were private doubts before the US president’s disastrous debate on June 27 exposed him publicly. He should have withdrawn from the election sooner

Biden's halting performance at the June 27 presidential debate against Republican candidate Donald Trump pushed even some of his closest allies to question whether he could endure a full campaign.

US president Joe Biden's decision to end his reelection campaign on Sunday followed a series of strategic missteps by his campaign team and White House aides that amplified concerns the 81-year-old president would not be able to win in November's election, or run the country for another four years.

Biden's halting performance at the June 27 presidential debate against Republican candidate Donald Trump pushed even some of his closest allies to question whether he could endure a full campaign, and added petrol to a smoldering Democratic party movement questioning the wisdom of his second term.