Former Prime Minister John Howard says US President Joe Biden “should have been given a pat on the back a few years ago” because “growing concerns” about the leader’s abilities will make it difficult for him to stay in power for another four years.
While calling Biden a “decent man” who has “experienced many personal tragedies in his life,” Howard questioned the 81-year-old’s ability to serve a second term as president.
“It’s not my job to be so presumptuous and tell my American friends what to do, but that doesn’t stop me from noting that there is growing concern about his performance,” Howard said in an interview with Sky News.
“I think it will lead to a situation where it will be very difficult for him to continue.”
The liberal star also criticized former US President Donald Trump, saying he had not made it to the top of the Republican Party in the Australian political system.
He said Trump’s rise was proof that Australia’s ways were “infinitely better” than America’s.
“I have no doubt that Trump would not have made it to the top of the Republican Party if Americans had a parliamentary system, no chance,” Howard said.
“I think if Biden had been the president who got there through the parliamentary route, he would have been patted on the shoulder a few years ago and told that if he didn’t resign, he would be voted out of office.”
Mr Biden is facing pressure from all sides politically to resign before the US election in November after his disastrous performance in the debate against Mr Trump.
However, Mr Biden has indicated that he will continue.
“I will not allow a 90-minute debate to undo three and a half years of work,” he said in a post shared on X on Saturday.
“I’m staying in the race and I’m going to beat Donald Trump.”
Howard also expressed his support for opposition leader Peter Dutton, saying his nuclear policy showed “great boldness”.
“I applaud him and will do everything I can to help him,” he said.
His comments differed markedly from those of Howard’s successor, Malcolm Turnbull, who had described the current leader as “a thug” in an interview with The Project on Sunday.
“Peter has played one tune his entire political life: division and hostility, generally directed against immigrants,” Turnbull said.
“I cannot imagine anyone less suited to the office of Prime Minister of a multicultural society like Australia.
“There’s no point in holding back. It’s an important question and I’ve given you an honest answer.”