President Joe Biden held a rally at Detroit's Renaissance High School on Friday, during which he received enthusiastic support from the crowd despite some calls for him to step down as the Democratic nominee.

At the event, there were also calls to jail former President Trump, media commentary, and an encounter between he president and a pro-Gaza protester, as the Washington Examiner reports.

Biden's Message to Supporters

Biden's rally at the high school took place at the same venue as his 2020 Democratic primary rally. The crowd’s enthusiasm was evident with chants of “Lock him up!” directed at former President Donald Trump.

Biden addressed these chants and used the moment to criticize the former president.

During the rally, Biden also criticized the press, which received “boos” from the audience. He noted that the media scrutiny had increased since the recent debate.

He remarked, “I’m just saying, you may have noticed that since the debate, the press and they’re good guys and women up there, they have been hammering me. Trump has gotten a free pass.”

Handling Pro-Gaza Protesters

The event also saw Biden trying to calm the crowd when a pro-Gaza protester spoke up. Addressing the protester, he said, “Folks, look, I understand her passion. That’s why I put together a detailed plan that the U.N. has accepted, that the Israelis have accepted, that the Palestinians have accepted. … This war must end.” His response highlighted his efforts to bring an end to the Israel–Hamas conflict.

Biden didn’t miss the opportunity to debut new political attacks on Trump.

Mocking the former president, he joked, “Doesn’t the house always win? Poor Donald, he can’t even watch TV this week because it’s ‘Shark Week.’” The crowd responded to this humor with laughter, showing their support for Biden’s pointed jabs at Trump.

Biden Faces Calls to Step Down

Despite the supportive atmosphere, there was underlying tension as Rep. Mike Levin recently became the 19th Democrat to call for Biden to step down as the nominee.

However, the president was greeted with supportive chants of “Don’t you quit!” and “We’ve got your back!” This showed that many in the crowd still strongly supported Biden.

Biden, while addressing the crowd, joked about his age, “I know I look 40, but I’m a little bit older,” he said. He emphasized that with age comes wisdom and experience, stating, “Hopefully with age comes a little wisdom. And here’s what I know. I know how to tell the truth. I know right from wrong. I know how and I’ve demonstrated how to do this job. And I know Americans want a president, not a dictator.”

Addressing Polls and Reelection

The president also touched upon the support he received while on the campaign trail, mentioning that many encouraged him to remain the Democratic standard-bearer.

He denied that polls indicated he should quit the race, asserting that he would only reconsider running if data suggested no path to victory. “No, unless they came back and said, ‘There’s no way you can win,’” he said. “No one is saying that. No poll says that.”

Biden’s rally in Detroit was an eventful one, managing to blend humor, serious policy discussions, and direct attacks on his political opponents. The president’s efforts to balance addressing concerns, rallying support, and defending his position as the Democratic nominee were well-received by the majority of the attendees.

Biden’s Future Prospects

The rally underscored the complex political landscape President Biden is navigating as he seeks reelection. Despite facing calls from within his party to step aside, Biden continues to show resilience and determination to stay in the race. His handling of the media, responses to protesters, and strategic attacks on Trump indicate his ongoing commitment to shaping the political narrative.

As the election approaches, President Biden’s ability to maintain and grow his support base while addressing the concerns within his party will be crucial. The rally at Detroit’s Renaissance High School provided a glimpse into how he plans to navigate these challenges.

Ultimately, Biden’s apparent willingness to continue on in the face of adversity, coupled with his experience and political insticnts, will play significant roles in determining his fate in the upcoming election.