Former Vice President Joe Biden clarified his comments about getting in a fist fight with Donald Trump, dismissing “the idea that I would actually physically get in a contest with the president of the United States or anybody else.”
“I shouldn’t have said what I said,” Biden said in an interview with “Pod Save America” released on Wednesday.
The hosts began the conversation by joking that they had come up with quirky names for a Biden-Trump bout ― including “1600 Punchsylvania Avenue” and “Spar-A-Lago” ― referring to his comments last week that he would have “beat the hell out” of Trump in high school for how he treats women.
Trump being Trump responded via tweet:
Crazy Joe Biden is trying to act like a tough guy. Actually, he is weak, both mentally and physically, and yet he threatens me, for the second time, with physical assault. He doesn’t know me, but he would go down fast and hard, crying all the way. Don’t threaten people Joe!
Biden said on the podcast that he first talked about wanting to thrash Trump when he was asked during the late stages of the 2016 campaign about the “Access Hollywood” video in which Trump bragged about grabbing women “by the pussy.”
Biden said he strictly meant that had the two men been in high school together, he would take Trump behind the gym over such comments. But he said on the podcast that he was rueful about recycling that scenario in his recent remarks at the University of Miami.
“I shouldn’t have bought it up again, because I don’t want to get down in the mosh pit with this guy,” he said. “I should have just left this alone.”
(Photo: Craig Barritt via Getty Images)
Still, Biden used the podcast to stress that “one of the passions of my life is violence against women,” and reiterated that he found Trump’s rhetoric “vulgar.”
Men “have an obligation not to engage in degrading talk,” he said. “I think what it does, it does encourage the minority element of a male population that it’s okay to engage in the behavior the president talks about.”
Trump has been accused of sexual misconduct ― including harassment, assault and rape ― by 21 women, though he vehemently denies the allegations.
“It’s important to continue to make the point that women are entitled to be treated with respect, damn it. It’s about time we men stand up. We’ve got to be part of the solution,” Biden said.
For what it’s worth, according to a survey from Public Policy Polling, 37 percent of voters think Biden could take Trump in a fist fight, with 32 percent putting their money on Trump and 30 percent having no opinion.
You can watch the entire “Pod Save America” segment above.
Go Deep, Governor! No, Further! Keep Going! ... Heh-Heh.
Vice President Joe Biden throws a football from the top of the stairs before boarding Air Force Two at Pittsburgh International Airport in Pittsburgh, PA, July 1, 2009.
Joe Biden: His Thumbs-Up Are Actual Rainbows
When we landed at Southwest Florida International Airport aboard Air Force Two, it was still raining, but by the time we taxied to our parking spot the rain had let up and a rainbow was starting to form in the sky. I tried to get into position to capture the rainbow and the Vice President de-planing, and Air Force Two. As he walked to the cars, he gave me a thumbs-up — and that was the photo. September 28, 2012.
At Ease, Men. 'Breaking Bad' Is On And Papa Biden's In A Hurry
Vice President Joe Biden salutes as he approaches Marine Two after landing at Joint Base Andrews aboard Air Force Two. June 6, 2012.
You're Gonna Miss These VP Guns -- Pew Pew!
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden gestures after disembarking from a plane upon landing at Ben Gurion International Airport in Lod, near Tel Aviv, Israel March 8, 2016.
Who Pulls Off A Bomber Jacket Anymore? Joe Biden, That's Who.
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden disembarks from the plane as he arrives in Baghdad, November 29, 2011. U.S. Vice President Biden arrived in Baghdad on Tuesday in a visit to mark the end of the U.S. war in Iraq as troops complete withdrawal by year-end.
Who's Coming To The Hotel Room To Party? Plenty Of Room In Here!
US Vice President Joe Biden waves upon his arrival at the Tokyo International Airport on December 1, 2013 on the first leg of his Asian tour. Biden will meet with Japanese leaders, with Tokyo hoping for some fulsome backing in its vicious territorial spat with China.
S**t, I'm Late I'm Late I'm Late I'm Late...
Vice President Joe Biden walks down the stairs of Air Force Two at New Castle County Airport. Wilmington, Delaware, Aug. 23, 2013.
I Said, "Beyoncé, This Is Jay-Z. Jay-Z, Beyoncé.'" Rest Is History.
US Democratic presidential candidate Illinois Senator Barack Obama and his running mate Joe Biden disembark from Obama's campaign plane at Detroit Metropolitan International airport in Detroit, Michigan, September 28, 2008.
Socks? Dammit, Man, I Don't Have Time For Socks.
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden arrives in Baghdad, August 30, 2010. Biden arrived in Iraq on Monday as U.S. troops prepared to end combat operations on Tuesday. Biden was expected to hold talks with Iraqi leaders during a period of political deadlock, almost six months after an inconclusive election in March, over forming the country's next government.
How's The Indian Food In New Delhi? Ahh, Just Messing With Ya.
Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden wave as they arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport, in New Delhi, India. July 22, 2013.
Come On, Kid, You Just Got Off A Plane With Joe Biden, Try To Act Like It.
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden waves as he walks out of the plane upon his arrival for the inauguration of Guatemala's President-elect Jimmy Morales, at Aurora international airport in Guatemala City, Guatemala, January 14, 2016.
Rain Or Shine, Motherf**kers! That's How Joe Rolls!
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden waves upon his arrival in Wilmington, Delaware November 7, 2012. Biden will spend the night at his home here before returning to Washington.
Jill, We Saluting Or Waving? Saluti--? ... Ugh, I Keep Falling For This.
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (L) and his wife Jill gesture before boarding a plane at Ben Gurion International airport near Tel Aviv March 11, 2010. Biden called on Thursday for Israeli-Palestinian peace talks to start without delay despite Palestinian insistence that Israel first cancel a settlement project condemned by Washington.
When He Gets On The Plane, You Pretend Like You Have To Show Him Something And Then I'll Jump Out And Scare Him
US Vice President Joe Biden (R) alights from the plane upon arrival at the Benito Juarez international airport in Mexico City, on September 19, 2013 for a one-day official visit.
No, I'm Serious, Jill. I've Got This Amazing Health Coverage But I'm Doing No Stunts At All. What A Waste!
Vice President of the United States Joe Biden and his wife Dr. Jill Biden arrive at the BrasÃlia Air Base on Air Force Two and visit the U.S. Embassy of Brazil on Thursday, May 30, 2013.
You Want A Little Biden Magic, Too? Pew Pew, Comin' Atcha!
US Vice President Joe Biden arrives in Ankara, Turkey on August 24, 2016.
While Delivering A Speech In The Mediterranean, Joe Biden Spots A Man In The Crowd Who "Sure As S**t" Owes Him Money
US Vice President Joe Biden delivers a speech after arriving on May 21,2014 at Larnaca airport in the Cypriot southern port city. Biden is on a visit to Cyprus for talks on the divided Mediterranean island's peace process and its ties with Moscow given Russia's role in Ukraine.
Alright, Joe, Time For "Operation: Charm The Pants Off 'Em"
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden gets ready to step out of a plane after landing in Sarajevo early May 19, 2009. Biden arrived in Bosnia on Tuesday hoping to bolster a country still plagued by instability and ethnic division 14 years after the end of Europe's worst conflict since World War Two.
Anyone Touches My Granddaughter, They'll Be On The Next Unmanned Mission To Mars
Vice President Joe Biden arrives on Airforce 2 with his grand daughter at Sydney Airport on July 18, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. Biden is visiting Australia on a four day trip which includes a visit to Melbourne at the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre to promote US-Australia cancer research and will host a round-table discussion with business leaders in Sydney.
Listen, I Just Want To Swing One Of The Swords For A Bit, Maybe Stage A Fight.
US Vice President Joe Biden (C,R) walks next to Romanian Foreign Minister Titus Corlatean (C,L) after arriving at the 'Henry Coanda' international Airport in Bucharest on May 20, 2014. US Vice President Joe Biden blasted Russia's annexation of Crimea, saying borders should not be changed at gunpoint, as he began a visit to Romania days before a crucial vote in Ukraine.
One More Trip Back Down And I've Got My Steps In For The Day
Welcome aboard: Vice President Joe Biden jogs up the stairs to Air Force Two at Lambert St. Louis International Airport, in St. Louis, Missouri, August 20, 2010.
Biden Hopes You Have A Sweet Tooth, Because He's Got A Lot Of Sugar To Give
US Vice President Joe Biden gestures after his plane landed at Kiev's airport, Boryspil, on July 20, 2009. Biden is on a working visit in Ukraine and then in Georgia amid concern in both nations that their relations with the United States could suffer as US-Russian relations improve.
(I Put The Pope Mobile Keys Back In Your Bag) -- Have A Safe Flight!
US Vice President Joe Biden bids farewell to Pope Francis before he boards his plane in Philadelphia on September 27, 2015 at the end of his six-day visit to the US.
Dan Wetzel, Ross Dellenger & SI’s Pat Forde react to the huge performance this weekend by Texas QB Arch Manning, Michigan and Notre Dame's spring games, Jaden Rashada entering the transfer portal, and more
Trump is entitled to an additional 36 million shares if the company's share price trades above $17.50 "for twenty out of any thirty trading days" over the next three years.
