President Joe Biden has announced that he is suspending his 2024 re-election campaign.
This decision, revealed on Sunday, follows pressure from within the Democratic Party.
Biden’s Announcement and Endorsement
In a public letter, Biden expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve as President, pointing to the need to focus on his current duties rather than seeking re-election.
“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your president,” Biden wrote. “While it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interests of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as president for the remainder of my term.”
Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic presidential nominee, marking a significant shift in the 2024 election race.
“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,” Biden stated. “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.”
Kamala Harris’ Response
Vice President Harris responded with gratitude and determination to earn and win the nomination.
“Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead,” Harris said. “I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party—and unite our nation—to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda.”
Party Reactions and Endorsements
Biden’s endorsement has already received backing from key Democratic figures, including former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman.
However, former President Barack Obama has yet to endorse Harris, urging for a united process to determine the party’s nominee.
“We will be navigating uncharted waters in the days ahead,” Obama wrote. “But I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges.”
Republican Response
Former President Donald Trump, the GOP nominee for 2024, derided Biden’s fitness for office and suggested that Biden should resign immediately.
“Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve – And never was!” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.
“We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly,” Trump added.
The Trump campaign quickly capitalized on the news, launching a fundraising post titled, “Biden just suspended his campaign,” and MAGA Inc, a leading super PAC supporting Trump, began airing ads accusing Harris of covering up Biden’s mental decline.
Senator JD Vance, Trump’s pick for VP, criticized Harris on X, “Joe Biden has been the worst President in my lifetime and Kamala Harris has been right there with him every step of the way. Over the last four years she co-signed Biden’s open border and green scam policies that drove up the cost of housing and groceries. She owns all of these.”
Background and Context
Biden’s decision to end his campaign comes after a series of challenges, including a COVID-19 diagnosis and concerns over his age and health.
Despite a showing at the NATO summit and initial support from Democratic leaders like Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, doubts about his viability grew, particularly after a notable gaffe where he mistakenly referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as “Putin.”
The turning point came as prominent Democrats, including Rep. Adam Schiff and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, began urging Biden to step aside. Biden’s faltering debate performance against Trump in Atlanta exacerbated these concerns, leading to widespread calls within his party for him to withdraw.
Biden’s announcement brings an end to his 2024 presidential campaign, which he launched in April last year. It also seemingly concludes his half-century-long career in national politics.
As the Democratic Party now rallies around Kamala Harris, the stage is set for a contentious battle against Trump in the upcoming election.