President Joe Biden Bows Out of 2024 Race

After his debate performance, Biden had repeatedly pushed back on calls to leave the 2024 election race.

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden officially exited the 2024 presidential race on Sunday, concluding his reelection efforts following a tumultuous debate with Donald Trump that cast doubts on his leadership capabilities. This decision comes a mere four months before the election, with Biden facing considerable pressure from his Democratic allies.

The push for Biden to step down intensified after the June 27 debate, during which the 81-year-old president frequently trailed off, provided incoherent answers, and failed to address Trump’s numerous false claims. In a statement, Biden expressed that he believes it’s best for both his party and the country to focus on completing his current term.

“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,” Biden wrote in a letter posted to his X account.

Currently recuperating at his Delaware beach house after a COVID-19 diagnosis, Biden plans to address the nation later this week to explain his decision further. The White House has confirmed the letter’s authenticity.

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In a significant move, Biden has thrown his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.

My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. 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… pic.twitter.com/x8DnvuImJV

This unexpected announcement adds another layer of unpredictability to an already chaotic presidential campaign season, highlighted by the recent attempted assassination of Trump at a Pennsylvania rally. No presumptive presidential nominee from any major party has ever stepped out of the race so close to the election, making Biden’s decision historically unprecedented.

The Democratic Party must now expedite its nominating process and convince voters in a short time frame that their candidate can handle the presidency and defeat Trump. Trump, in turn, has to pivot his campaign focus to a new opponent after years targeting Biden.

Biden’s announcement abruptly ends his decades-long career in politics. His dominance in the Democratic primaries had seemed unchallenged, but his departure frees up delegates to support other candidates. Vice President Harris is viewed as a natural successor, particularly due to her access to the Biden campaign’s financial resources.

The Democratic National Convention is set for Aug. 19-22 in Chicago, but plans for an earlier virtual roll call to formally nominate Biden are now uncertain. Harris and other potential candidates may have to lobby individual state delegations at the convention for their support.

In 2020, Biden positioned himself as a bridge to a new generation of leaders. However, his reluctance to step aside has been evident. Despite being the oldest sitting president, Biden consistently affirmed his capability to handle another term, often telling voters, “watch me.”

Following his poor debate performance, Democrats and donors publicly voiced concerns about Biden’s capacity to serve another term, a sentiment that had privately circulated for months. Age-related criticisms have persisted, with many viewing Biden as too old for another term, though Trump is only three years younger.

Biden’s age became a focal point during an investigation into his handling of classified documents. Special counsel Robert Hur described Biden as “a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.” This depiction sparked backlash from Biden’s allies, who criticized Hur for including it in his report.

Throughout his campaign and presidency, Biden’s motivations were closely tied to Trump. Offended by Trump’s comments on the Charlottesville rally and his conduct during and after the 2020 election, Biden felt compelled to run to counter Trump’s influence.

While Trump’s campaign has not commented on Biden’s exit, Trump and his team had indicated their preference for Biden as an opponent. With the campaign landscape dramatically altered, the focus now shifts to Biden’s successor and the Democratic Party’s strategy moving forward.