On Sunday, President Joe Biden made the unprecedented decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race amid growing concerns about his health and capability to run.
Key Democrats, including Nancy Pelosi and reportedly even former President Barack Obama, along with former celebrity supporters like George Clooney, had expressed their worries.
In his letter he wrote:
“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President.
And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”
Following his announcement, President Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the upcoming election.
“My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And it’s been the best decision I’ve made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this.”
Vice President Kamala Harris is now the presumptive Democratic nominee, following increasing speculation about her replacing President Joe Biden on the ticket.
This speculation intensified after Biden’s poor performance in the June 27 debate and the White House’s July 3 statement calling Harris “the future of the party.”
The 81-year-old president’s shaky performance during the CNN live debate with Donald Trump sparked a wave of concerns about his ability to serve another term.
Throughout the 90-minute event, Biden appeared frail and disoriented, which his campaign later attributed to a cold and fatigue.
In subsequent unscripted speeches, Biden seemed more robust and focused, defending his leadership and highlighting his recent achievements, including a successful NATO conference.
However, the damage to his perceived electability was already done.
Newspapers, journalists, celebrities, and politicians began urging Biden to step aside in favor of a younger candidate who might have a better chance of defeating Trump in November.
As Vice President, I see @JoeBiden when the cameras are on and when the cameras are off—in the Oval Office, in the Situation Room, and on the campaign trail.
Joe Biden is a leader who fights for the American people. pic.twitter.com/w2OIN6oGpU
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) July 20, 2024
and
????I went to VP Harris' campaign rally this past Wednesday, Fayeteville, NC. She was all spirit & high energy. The packed, enthusiatic crowd of staunch Biden-Harris supporters, were ????behind her & her rousing message of support of Veterans & American exceptionalism. Following you! pic.twitter.com/DhpC2HAyL8
— Marthe Pineau (@MartheHortensia) July 21, 2024
and
Joe Biden deserves enormous credit for his decades of service to this country, historic record of legislative success as president, and for putting the country’s needs ahead of his own in this incredibly difficult moment. Now we get to work to elect VP Harris. https://t.co/gfURulH21g
— Tommy Vietor (@TVietor08) July 21, 2024
What a time to be alive!
