Jill Biden recalled the immense pressure that Joe Biden faced in the aftermath of his disastrous 2024 debate performance, saying he told her “Jilly, I had no choice,” following his decision to drop out of the presidential race.The former first lady made the comments during a Tuesday book event coinciding with the release of her new memoir, View from the East Wing. The event was held at the 92nd Street Y in New York City, and moderated by comedian and co-host of The View, Whoopi Goldberg. Former president Biden was in attendance at the event and received two standing ovations from the crowd.Biden’s poor debate performance against Donald Trump had sparked widespread alarm among Democrats, prompting calls for him to withdraw from the race. When asked on Tuesday if she and her husband had been surprised at the response from their party, she said: “Joe and I were devastated.“To have people who we really considered close friends come out publicly and say really terrible things about Joe … if you want to come to us and say that to us personally, that’s one thing. But to go on TV shows or out in the press or send me op-eds or whatever – it was really hurtful.”Joe Biden stands next to Jill Biden as he thanks the camera crew after addressing the US from the Oval Office in Washington DC, on 24 July 2024. Photograph: Evan Vucci/EPAJill Biden says that the public outcry from Democrats is ultimately what led him to drop out of the race.Goldberg also asked her about reports that she had encouraged her husband to stay in the race after the debate, even though others within the president’s inner circle felt differently.“I would support Joe whether he wanted to stay in or he wanted to get out,” she said. “But the thing to me was, he had to make this decision by himself … because it was a decision he had to live with for the rest of his life.”In a rally shortly after the June 2024 debate, Jill Biden had praised her husband’s performance, saying: “Joe, you did such a great job. You answered every question. You knew all the facts.”However, in the book – and subsequent press tour – Biden revealed that she thought her husband was having a stroke. “That moment happened, and honest to God, it scared the hell out of me,” she said. “I thought: ‘What in God’s name is happening?’”