Longtime Republican strategist Karl Rove once expressed skepticism over whether former President Donald Trump was capable of beating President Joe Biden.

However, Rove recently conceded that Biden's post-debate implosion appears to have vindicated Trump's decision to run. 

"That debate was not an off moment"

According to The Hill, Rove spoke during a Monday Fox News appearance about Biden's insistence on staying on as his party's nominee despite plunging poll numbers.

"There’s cheering in Mar-a-Lago for that sentiment. Look, the polls are indicating that this race is widening for Trump," Rove was quoted as saying.

"And it is because that debate confirmed the feelings that a vast majority of the American people have had for over a year and a half that Joe Biden is too old to be an effective president, particularly when he would be 82 If he were to be reelected, and serve until 86," he explained.

A New York Times/Sienna poll carried out from June 28 to July 6 found that President Trump enjoyed a six-point lead over Biden while a Wall Street Journal survey conducted between June 29 and July 6 reached a similar finding.

Biden steadfast in his refusal to quit race

Yet despite those numbers, the president has remained steadfast in his determination to remain on the Democratic Party's ticket.

George Stephanopoulos: “If you can be convinced that you cannot defeat Donald Trump, will you stand down?”

President Biden: “It depends. If the Lord Almighty himself comes down and tells me that, I might do that.” pic.twitter.com/LWLkSRx8ML

— The Recount (@therecount) July 6, 2024

When asked by ABC News George Stephanopoulos about the prospect of stepping down, Biden responded by saying, "If the Lord Almighty himself comes down and tells me that, I might do that."