Biden: 'Elect Me. I'm in the 20th Century'; Jean-Pierre Says He Meant 2024 (April 10, 2024)

A reporter asked President Joe Biden what he would say to the people of Arizona, where the state’s top court had just revived an abortion law from the Civil War era. His answer: “Elect me. I’m in the 20—it’s the 20th century—21st century, not back then. They weren’t even a State” [1].

The next day, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden “obviously” meant 2024. A reporter wasn’t buying it: “Actually, he was talking about the 20th century, as I recall.” Her reply: “Mm-hmm. Yeah, okay” [2].

The video above shows Biden’s answer at his April 10, 2024, news conference with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the White House. Quotes are from the official transcripts published by the American Presidency Project [1][2].

”Elect Me”

The question came as the news conference broke up. Reporters were shouting about Israel, Rafah and the hostages held by Hamas. “Why doesn’t everybody holler at once?” Biden said [1].

One reporter got through. “On the issue of abortion, sir, respectfully, what do you say to the people of Arizona right now who are witnessing a law go in place that dates back to the Civil War era?” [1]

“Elect me. I’m in the 20—it’s the 20th century—21st century, not back then. They weren’t even a State. I find——” Biden said, before reporters cut in again with questions about Rafah [1].

”Obviously He Was Talking About 2024”

At the White House briefing on April 11, a reporter asked Jean-Pierre to explain. “When the President was asked yesterday what his message was to the people of Arizona in light of the ruling, he said, ‘Elect me.’ So, can you elaborate on what — he meant by that? What can he do for those people?” [2]

“So, a couple of things. I — I’m going to be careful because obviously he was talking about 2024. I mean, look —” Jean-Pierre began [2].

“Actually, he was talking about the 20th century, as I recall,” the reporter said.

“Mm-hmm. Yeah, okay,” Jean-Pierre answered [2].

She then pivoted to an attack on Trump and Republicans, saying the ban “was made possible because of the Supreme Court” and that “we’ve seen where extreme Republican elected officials have been on this issue.” She also said she could not discuss the election: “I’m not going to speak to the upcoming election from here” [2].

The Arizona Ruling

The day before Biden’s answer, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled in favor of invoking an 1864 law that forbids abortions except to save a mother’s life and punishes providers with prison time. The ruling superseded the state’s law allowing abortions up to 15 weeks, The Washington Post reported [3].

Trump: It “Went Too Far”

Donald Trump moved quickly. On an Atlanta airport tarmac on April 10, the same day as Biden’s answer, he agreed that Arizona had gone too far and said “that will be straightened out,” the Post reported [3]. His campaign said: “These are decisions for people of each state to make” [3].

Two days later, Trump pressed Arizona to fix it. “The Governor and the Arizona Legislature must use HEART, COMMON SENSE, and ACT IMMEDIATELY, to remedy what has happened,” he wrote on Truth Social. “Remember, it is now up to the States and the Good Will of those that represent THE PEOPLE” [4]. He said that “ideally” abortion restrictions should include exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother, the AP reported [4].

By the Numbers

1864: the year of the Arizona law the state Supreme Court revived [3].
15 weeks: the limit under the Arizona law the ruling superseded [3].
2 days: the time between Biden’s answer and Trump’s call for Arizona to “remedy” the ruling [1][4].
1,770,242 to 1,582,860: Trump’s margin in Arizona in November 2024, by the vote for presidential electors [7].
312: electoral votes Trump won nationally [8].

What Happened Next

Arizona repealed the 1864 law. On May 2, 2024, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signed House Bill 2677, officially repealing the state’s 1864 abortion ban [5]. A handful of Republican legislators from battleground districts had backed repeal, the AP reported [4].

Biden left the race. On July 21, 2024, Biden announced he would not seek reelection [6], as HYGO News reported in its page on the polls that warned Democrats.

Trump won Arizona. In November 2024, the Republican electors carried Arizona with 1,770,242 votes to the Democrats’ 1,582,860, according to the House Clerk’s official results [7], and Trump won the presidency with 312 electoral votes [8].

For Jean-Pierre’s claim that Biden did not need a cognitive test, see HYGO News’ page on that briefing.