In a stunning turn of events, President Joe Biden has withdrawn from the 2024 presidential race, citing escalating concerns about his age and performance following a recent debate with former President Donald Trump. Biden's unexpected announcement, made less than four months before the election, has significantly altered the political landscape in what is considered one of the most crucial elections in modern history.
Biden, committed to completing his current term, has thrown his full support behind Vice President Kamala Harris, urging the Democratic Party to rally around her as the nominee at the upcoming convention in Chicago. This announcement adds to a series of unprecedented events in this campaign season, including an assassination attempt on Trump at a Pennsylvania rally just a week prior.
Biden's withdrawal marks the first time in modern U.S. history that a sitting president has exited a reelection race so close to Election Day. The last comparable instance was President Lyndon Johnson's March 1968 decision not to seek another term, made after only one primary. Biden’s July decision, however, comes after over 14 million Democrats cast their votes in support of him during the primaries. In a statement, Harris lauded Biden’s decision as a “selfless and patriotic act,” committing herself to uniting the Democratic Party and the nation to defeat Trump and his “extreme Project 2025 agenda.”
Biden's decision was influenced by mounting pressure from Democratic allies after the June 27 debate, where he struggled to respond coherently and failed to counter Trump’s numerous falsehoods. His announcement was made via a letter posted on his X account, where he emphasized his commitment to serving out his term and his belief that stepping aside was in the best interest of the party and the country.
Shortly after announcing his withdrawal, Biden endorsed Harris, calling for Democrats to unite behind her to defeat Trump. Harris now faces the formidable task of securing delegate votes, selecting a running mate, and redirecting Biden’s campaign infrastructure towards her candidacy. If elected, Harris would make history as the first woman and the first person of South Asian descent to become president.
Support for Harris swiftly began to coalesce, with endorsements from the Congressional Black Caucus, former President Bill Clinton, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Notably, former President Barack Obama withheld immediate endorsement but praised Biden’s decision to step down.
Biden's decision came while he was isolating at his Delaware beach house due to COVID-19, consulting with close confidants and family members. Harris was informed of Biden’s plans on Sunday morning, shortly before the public announcement. With Biden’s exit, the Democratic Party must quickly establish a cohesive nominating process and convince voters of Harris’s capabilities to lead and defeat Trump. Meanwhile, Trump, who has been focusing his campaign on defeating Biden, must now pivot to a new opponent.
This decision concludes Biden’s 52-year career in electoral politics, as doubts about his ability to convincingly handle another term persisted among donors, lawmakers, and aides. Harris has already started securing endorsements and delegates, with the Tennessee Democratic Party publicly backing her. Prominent Democrats like California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg have also expressed their support.
Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison pledged a “transparent and orderly process” for selecting a candidate capable of defeating Trump in November. West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, now an independent, is considering rejoining the Democratic Party to challenge Harris for the nomination.
Harris spent Sunday afternoon reaching out to Democratic officials and delegates to solidify her nomination. Prominent Democrats from swing states, including Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, have endorsed her.
Trump responded to Biden’s withdrawal by criticizing his fitness for office on his Truth Social site, while Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries praised Biden’s decision as a patriotic act. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, suggested Biden should resign immediately if he is unfit to run, emphasizing the urgency of the upcoming election. Biden plans to address the nation later this week to elaborate on his decision, and he still intends to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, depending on his recovery from COVID-19.
Biden’s candidacy was initially driven by a desire to counter Trump, especially after Trump’s controversial remarks following the Charlottesville rally in 2017. Despite his initial reluctance to seek another term, Biden’s recent performance and persistent low approval ratings on key issues, including the economy and immigration, have led to his decision to step down. First Lady Jill Biden and Biden’s granddaughter, Naomi Biden Neal, expressed their pride and support for his decision, highlighting his dedicated service to the country.
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