Biden vows after debate debacle to fight on: 'When you get knocked down, you get back up'

President Joe Biden addressed his supporters at a campaign event in North Carolina on Friday after political analysts, Democratic commentators and political figures described his debate performance as a disaster that's approaching a crisis.

"I don't walk as easy as I used to. I don't speak as smoothly as I used to. I don't debate as well as I used to," Biden said at the podium.

"But I know what I do know. I know how to tell the truth. I know right from wrong. I know how to do this job," he also said. "I know like millions of Americans know; when you get knocked down, you get back up."

Biden argued that "Trump lied" about the great economy he created in his first term and blamed Trump for businesses closing during the COVID pandemic.

"He closed businesses. He closed schools, losing their homes, people all over this country. America was flat on its back," Biden said.

In February 2021, Biden described school closures as a national emergency.

He also criticized Trump on Friday for his current legal battles, prompting chants of "lock him up" from the crowd.