Joe Biden challenges doubters in the Democratic party.

President Joe Biden is not backing down in the face of criticism, daring his detractors to challenge him at the upcoming Democratic convention if they disagree with his decision to stay in the race as the presumptive presidential nominee.

In a call to NBC’s “Morning Joe,” Biden brushed off calls from Democratic lawmakers, newspaper editorials, and political pundits urging him to step aside for the 2024 race following his lackluster debate performance against Donald Trump. He asserted that “average Democrats” are still firmly behind him.

“I’m growing tired of the party elites…they think they know better,” Biden declared. “If anyone thinks I shouldn’t run, then run against me. Come forward, announce your candidacy, challenge me at the convention.”

“I don’t care what these big names think. They were wrong in 2020,” he added, taking a swipe at the columnists who have called for his departure for a younger nominee.

Addressing concerns from Democratic donors, Biden stated, “I don’t care about the opinions of millionaires.”

With 3,896 delegates already pledged to him, any serious challenge to Biden’s candidacy at the Democratic National Convention would require him to release them. However, given his staunch resolve showcased on Monday and his letter to congressional Democrats affirming his intent to stay in the race, it is unlikely that he will back down.

While other party leaders could potentially persuade Biden to step aside, key figures such as top congressional Democrats and former Democratic presidents are standing by him for now. If polls begin to reflect voter unease about Biden’s fitness for office and its impact on Democratic candidates for Congress, this support could waver.

Recently, four senior House Democrats – Reps. Jerry Nadler (N.Y.), Joe Morelle (N.Y.), Mark Takano (Calif.), and Adam Smith (Wash.) – expressed their belief in a phone call with party leaders that Biden should step aside. Additionally, vulnerable House Democrat Rep. Angie Craig (Minn.) publically stated that she believes Biden should not run.

In a social media post, Craig wrote, “President Biden is a good man and I appreciate his lifetime of service. But I believe he should step aside for the next generation of leadership. The stakes are too high.”

The contentious debate surrounding Biden’s political future is poised to intensify as Congress reconvenes from its holiday break this week. Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) cautioned that continued Democratic uncertainty about Biden could prove detrimental if he remains the nominee.

“Those calling on President Biden to withdraw should consider what it would mean if he becomes the Democratic nominee,” Torres remarked in a social media post. “Public expressions of no confidence only serve to weaken a President who is already vulnerable, both from the debate and the subsequent scrutiny. Weakening an already weakened nominee appears to be a losing strategy for a presidential election.”