Bestselling author and self-help guru Marianne Williamson blasted President Joe Biden's 2024 launch video and warned he can't energize younger voters.
"I think that video was very out of touch, and that's what people are feeling," Williamson told the Hill's Rising. "I think an entire younger generation would stay home in droves in response to what that video is advancing as the administration's pitch to the American people."
BIDEN MOVES TO SOOTHE PROGRESSIVE GRUMBLINGS AHEAD OF REELECTION ANNOUNCEMENT
Williamson, alongside environmental lawyer Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is widely considered as a long-shot challenger to the incumbent president, though her campaign has flagged a poll showing double-digit support among Democrats.
Biden made his 2024 reelection campaign official Tuesday in a roughly three-minute video framing the election as a "battle for the soul of America" amid Republican extremism.
Every generation has a moment where they have had to stand up for democracy. To stand up for their fundamental freedoms. I believe this is ours.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) April 25, 2023
That’s why I’m running for reelection as President of the United States. Join us. Let’s finish the job. https://t.co/V9Mzpw8Sqy pic.twitter.com/Y4NXR6B8ly
Democrats have largely coalesced around Biden in response, but Williamson is mounting a progressive challenge. Her campaign has mostly refrained from attacking Biden directly.
But on Tuesday, Williamson was very direct and railed against Biden, saying he did not "fight for a higher minimum wage, permanentize the child tax credit, or side with railroad workers."
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 25, 2023
— Marianne Williamson (@marwilliamson) April 25, 2023
STATEMENT FROM MARIANNE WILLIAMSON ON JOE BIDEN'S 2024 CAMPAIGN LAUNCH:
For those of us committed to Democrats winning the White House in 2024, the president’s campaign announcement today was concerning.
His remark that he has fought so…
Kennedy echoed the same sentiments in response to Biden's launch.
"I have known and liked Joe Biden for many years, but we differ profoundly on fundamental issues such as corporate influence in government, censorship, civil liberties, poverty, corruption, and war policy, among others. I look forward to engaging him in debates and town hall meetings," he tweeted.
I have known and liked Joe Biden for many years, but we differ profoundly on fundamental issues such as corporate influence in government, censorship, civil liberties, poverty, corruption, and war policy, among others. I look forward to engaging him in debates and town hall…
— Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) April 25, 2023
Both Williamson and Kennedy have urged the Democratic National Committee to host a primary debate, but so far, the party appears unwilling to do so.
The lack of debates for a primary challenge against a sitting president is not unusual. Former President Donald Trump drew a few GOP challengers in 2020 and never debated them. Like Biden with his 2024 Democratic rivals, Trump was far ahead of the minor GOP candidates in the polls.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Biden's 2024 election announcement comes on the four-year anniversary of his 2020 campaign launch for president and which he ultimately won.
Rivals of Biden, including Williamson and the Republican National Committee, have highlighted a recent NBC poll that found nearly 70% of voters don't want Biden to pursue another term in office.