Biden admits it was a 'mistake' to use the word 'bullseye' when referring to Trump

President Joe Biden admitted on Monday that it was a mistake to use the word "bullseye" when talking about former President Donald Trump, since there was an assassination attempt on the former president over the weekend.

A gunman targeted Trump in an assassination attempt on Saturday afternoon during a Pennsylvania rally. One attendee was killed in the shooting, and three others were injured including Trump, who was hit in the ear. The suspected shooter was also killed.

Biden said that it was "time to put Trump in a bullseye" during a call with donors last week, according to Politico, urging them to move past his debate performance, and concerns about his ability to win reelection.

“It was a mistake to use the word,” Biden told NBC News host Lester Holt in a clip of the exclusive interview, though he defended himself by pointing out he had not used the word "crosshairs."

“I meant focus on him, focus on what he’s doing," Biden clarified. "Focus on his policies, focus on the number of lies he told at the debate."

"I’m not the guy that said, ‘I want to be a dictator on day one.’ I’m not the guy that refused to accept the outcome of the election. I’m not the guy who said he won’t accept the outcome of this election automatically. You can’t only love your country when you win," he added.

Biden defended his comments that Trump was a "threat to democracy," but said he was not "engaged" in incendiary rhetoric. 

“How do you talk about the threat to democracy – which is real – when a president says things like he says? Do you just not say anything – because it may incite somebody?” the president questioned. “I am not engaged in that rhetoric. Now my opponent is engaged in that rhetoric."

The full interview with Biden will air on NBC News as part of a prime-time special at 9 p.m. ET. 

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.