George Stephanopoulos gives damning verdict of Biden, 81, after their make or break TV interview - then immediately regrets it

George Stephanopoulos gave his blunt assessment of Joe Biden's performance in their blockbuster interview Friday -- then immediately regretted it. 

Biden's lackluster performance in a ABC News interview with the former White House Press Secretary on Friday followed a disastrous debate performance last month.

Stephanopoulos, 63, was stopped for an interview to give his reaction to the fallout from his chat with the president.

He was asked if Biden should step down by a pedestrian and responded: 'I don't think he can serve four more years.'

The video soon caught fire on the internet and now the longtime ABC News fixture has offered a statement of regret.

ABC News' star anchor George Stephanopoulos apologized after giving his blunt assessment of Joe Biden's performance in their blockbuster interview Friday

Biden's lackluster performance in a television interview with the former White House Press Secretary on Friday followed a disastrous debate performance last month

'Earlier today I responded to a question from a passerby. I shouldn't have,' he told Puck News in response to the video, initially posted on TMZ. 

ABC News issued their own statement on what Stephanopoulos had been caught saying.

'George expressed his own point of view and not the position of ABC News.' 

Biden's cognitive function has been under intense scrutiny since his car crash presidential debate against Donald Trump last month.

Friday, he attempted some damage control with a sit down interview with ABC  - a performance that was once again panned by members of his own party.

Biden made it through the 22-minute ABC News interview on Friday without any major blunders but it appeared unlikely to fully tamp down concerns about his age and fitness for another four years and his ability to defeat Donald Trump in November. 

The floundering has led to calls for Biden to withdraw from the race, but he has so far remained steadfast in his commitment to standing. In looking ahead, a senior Democratic aide told ABC News that the president should 'buckle up for a wild week.'

Many had hoped that Friday's interview with George Stephanopoulos would be a chance for Biden, 81, to prove himself fit to continue leading.

The video soon caught fire on the internet and now the longtime ABC News fixture has offered a public apology

Biden made it through the 22-minute ABC News interview on Friday without any major blunders but it appeared unlikely to fully tamp down concerns about his age and fitness for another four years and his ability to defeat Donald Trump in November

But the toe-curling performance, which included responding to questions in a raspy voice, losing track mid-sentence and going off on tangents, left many Democrats unconvinced.

The president has remained adamant he's staying in the race ever since the interview. 

A number of prominent Democrats are now desperately looking for possible alternatives should Biden exit the race.