Former Star Trek actor and LGBTQ+ activist George Takei has long been a staunch supporter of Joe Biden. And he’s not backing down now.
Following his performance in his first debate with Donald Trump last month, President Biden has faced a wave of criticism about his cognitive skills and apparent decline over the last four years. Many Democratic supporters have expressed concern about whether Biden has what it takes to beat Trump again come November.
In a post to X last night, Takei, 87, urged Biden, 81, to continue running.
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“Ignore them, Joe. Keep running. Keep governing. They’re starting to sound like a pack of starving hyenas, and the voters can hear it clearly.”
Ignore them, Joe. Keep running. Keep governing. They’re starting to sound like a pack of starving hyenas, and the voters can hear it clearly.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) July 8, 2024
Takei’s message has had over 19,000 likes and over 2,000 comments. Trump supporters emerged to agree with Takei’s message. They clearly believe Donald Trump, who is currently ahead in opinion polls against Biden, has a better chance against Biden than anyone who might replace him.
For once, I agree with @GeorgeTakei, yes, pretty please with sugar on top Run Joe Run! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
— Vince Langman (@LangmanVince) July 8, 2024
Others in agreement with Takei said some sections of the media ran similar stories about Hillary Clinton in 2016, questioning her cognitive ability.
Remember when they did the same thing to Hillary Clinton?https://t.co/uboP0rXAUq
— Dramatic Skye 🇺🇲🌎🇺🇦 (@DramaticSkye) July 8, 2024
Angie Craig
Takei has criticized other left-leaning figures and lawmakers for asking Joe Biden to step down.
On the weekend, queer lawmaker, Rep. Angie Craig, posted a statement calling on Biden to abandon his campaign. The congresswoman from Minnesota said, “As an elected leader, I feel a responsibility to be honest about what I believe, even when it’s hard to hear. President Biden is a good man & I appreciate his lifetime of service.
“But I believe he should step aside for the next generation of leadership. The stakes are too high.”
Takei responded, saying, “I’m disappointed with this, having worked hard for your election in 2022.”
I’m disappointed with this, having worked hard for your election in 2022.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) July 7, 2024
In a subsequent tweet, Takei said he would no longer support Craig for re-election.
I was going to support you again, but will choose a different candidate this time around. I’m sad to see you abandon Joe Biden like you did.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) July 7, 2024
Stephen King
Takei also reacted to a tweet from Stephen King. The famed horror author, a high-profile critic of Donald Trump, also suggested on Monday that the Democrats need a new nominee.
“Joe Biden has been a fine president, but it’s time for him—in the interests of the America he so clearly loves—to announce he will not run for re-election,” said King yesterday.
Takei responded, “Oh, this is your new horror story! Good one. Whew! Had me going there.”
Oh, this is your new horror story! Good one. Whew! Had me going there.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) July 8, 2024
Takei is not alone in continuing to support Biden. The majority of Democratic lawmakers have pledged—at least publicly—their support for the President to continue with his campaign.
Rep. Maxine Waters, like Takei, is older than Biden. The 85-year-old lawmaker from California appeared on MSNBC last night and again affirmed her support for the President.
“We don’t have that many members who are talking about he should step down,” she said. “Don’t forget there are 213 Democrats and you talk about nine members and I don’t think we have a long way to go. We’re not really divided.”
Rep. Maxine Waters on #Maddow wrecks the media Biden narrative, "We don't have that many members who are talking about he should step down. Don't forget there are 213 Democrats and you talk about nine members and I don't think we have a long way to go. We're not really divided." pic.twitter.com/mb7AZlwjDa
— Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) July 9, 2024
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George Takei, 87, offers advice to 81-year-old Joe Biden
Takei’s message comes as others have called on Biden to reconsider his campaign.
RIGay
Thank you, Maxine!
Ronbo
Who here goes to an 82 year old surgeon? Biden is not the best, nor the most capable. Why would anyone champion a candidate who three out of four people know is far too old? The majority of Democratic voters see with their eyes, not with the establishment.
Biden is the guarantee that tRump will win.
Ronbo
Who here goes to an 82 year old doctor or surgeon?
Ronbo
Behind by over 10 points. Not a winning strategy.
Woody
Embarrassments, both of them.
Woody
If Joey was your airline pilot, would you leave the flight?
jp47
Strange that Donald Trump, only three years younger than Biden, who slept, passed gas and drooled during his recent fraud trial (for which he was found guilty on 34 counts) is considered a viable candidate. Also all of his speeches are filled with lies and are almost nonsensical from beginning to end. Where are the editorials asking him to step down?
Huron132
Joe Biden is clearly ok to run. The man has said and done things that he can to help and keep the LGBTQ+ community out there. As an older gay man what I look for in a leader is intelligence, a promise keeper, a person who makes sure everyone is included and can take the the negative nay Sayers proving them wrong. Just remember who he is running against. You choose a lying grifter felon that is wanting to be the most popular. OR, A PERSON WHO WANTS TO KEEP OUR DEMOCRACY SAFE AND INTACT. Just look at who is for the people and who is for himself.
BeaglePower
I love almost everything Joe has done but it is time to step aside. I can’t do another 4 years or kingdom of Agent Orange.
OzJay
As the saying goes: there’s no fool like an old fool. And Takei is clearly as big a fool as Biden. He could step aside now and be remembered as a good president, who beat Trump and paved the way for someone else. Or he could press on, in which case the only possible result will be further humiliation for himself and havoc for the nation. He’s clearly in decline. He’s admitted as much himself in saying he just needs to get to bed earlier and get more sleep. Who needs a president who has to be in bed early and can’t function if he hasn’t had enough sleep??!! The media is not going to stop hounding him, so every memory lapse, every stumble will be magnified and analysed and used against him. And at 80+ there will me more and more lapses and stumbles. If he loses, he goes from hero to villain; the guy who was too full of himself to know when to step aside. If he wins he will be increasingly a lame duck president. If he has a major health crisis (likely) or dies in office (likely) he will create unnecessary chaos and succession issues. There’s no upside to staying the course. None.
OCandPS
George is wrong on this one. It is painfully obvious what everyone saw and there is no excuse. If Biden doesn’t turn over the wheel to someone else, I’m afraid the voters are going to take away his keys in November.
Ronbo
With the blood of 50,000 children on his hands, should he really continue on, George?
Do we really need war with Russia? We did NOT allow Russia to put nukes in Cuba. Why would Joe try to put NATO nukes on the Russian Border? War is usually good politics.