NEW YORK — Former President Joe Biden says he's responsible for Donald Trump's victory last fall, but he attributes Kamala Harris' loss, at least in part, to sexism and racism.
Biden, who left office in January, addressed the Democrats' disastrous 2024 election, concerns about his age and Trump's divisive leadership during a Thursday interview on ABC's ''The View." The 82-year-old Democrat said he has intentionally avoided speaking out publicly until this week to give the Republican president more than 100 days in office without his interference, as is typically the tradition following a change in the White House.
Asked about the last election, Biden said he was surprised by the role that gender and race played in the contest.
''They went the sexist route,'' Biden said of criticism that ''a woman couldn't lead the country and a woman of mixed race.''
He added: ''I was in charge, and he won, so I take responsibility."
Biden has largely stepped away from national politics since leaving the White House. He's not expected to play a central role in Democratic affairs as the party turns to a new generation of leadership, although he acknowledged on Thursday that he has maintained regular contact with Harris and has offered his guidance on her political future.
''She's got a difficult decision to make about what she's going to do. I hope she stays engaged,'' Biden said, declining to share his specific advice.
Biden rejected concerns about his cognitive decline prompted by a disastrous debate performance last June. He also declined to criticize the Democratic leaders who privately pressed him to abandon his campaign.