Jen Psaki recalls reaction to Biden’s debate, ‘heartbreaking’ summer before 2024 exit: ‘I was like, is he OK?’

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AUSTIN, Texas – MSNBC host and former White House press secretary Jen Psaki said she was "worried" about President Biden "as a person" during a "heartbreaking" summer.

Psaki appeared at the Texas Tribune Festival on Friday for a conversation with The Atlantic writer Mark Leibovich, who wanted to know what someone who worked so closely with Biden felt during the infamous June debate that put a spotlight on the president’s fitness to serve another term.

"Well, watching it, my first reaction was not, ‘Oh my gosh, Trump is going to win the election.' That was not my reaction. I care about him as a human being. And my first reaction was, I do care about him a lot, was like, ‘Is he OK?’" Psaki said.

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"Honestly, it was like, ‘Is he OK? And I don't say that because I was feeling like I was going to go on Twitter and be alarmist, but I care for him as a person," she continued. "I was worried about him as a person."

Calls for Biden to step aside from the media began as soon as the debate concluded, as Democratic allies were stunned when he appeared confused, unsure and raspy during the disastrous performance.

Many felt the concerns about Biden’s age and mental acuity were valid, but the president initially insisted it was just a "bad night," before ultimately caving and