WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race for the White House on Sunday, ending his bid for reelection following a disastrous debate with Donald Trump that raised doubts about his fitness for office just four months before the election.
The decision comes after escalating pressure from Biden’s Democratic allies to step aside following the June 27 debate, in which the 81-year-old president trailed off, often gave nonsensical answers, and failed to call out the former president’s many falsehoods.
Biden plans to serve the remainder of his term in office, which ends at noon ET on Jan. 20, 2025.
“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.
Nearly 30 minutes later, Biden threw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris, the party’s instant favorite for the nomination at its August convention in Chicago.
“Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year,” he said in another post on X. “Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump,” he added.
Biden’s decision came as he has been isolating at his Delaware beach house after being diagnosed with COVID-19 last week, huddling with a shrinking circle of close confidants and family members about his political future. Biden said he would address the nation later this week to provide “detail” about his decision.
The White House confirmed the authenticity of the letter.
Harris, 59, appeared to be the natural successor; according to federal campaign finance rules, she is the only candidate who could directly tap into the Biden campaign’s war chest.
“Respecting and appreciating the legacy of President Biden’s service, I support his decision to not seek re-election to another term,” said Jennifer McCormick, Indiana’s 2024 Democratic gubernatorial nominee. “As governor, I will be committed to working with the president – whoever is elected in November. Indiana deserves the best leadership to protect our rights and freedoms, and I will be a relentless champion for all Hoosiers.”
“President Biden has been a steadfast patriot and leader for our country. His decision to withdraw from the presidential race is yet another act of service in a long and distinguished career dedicated to the betterment of the United States,” added McCormick President Biden’s tenure in public service, which has been marked by kindness. We should honor President Biden’s legacy, patriotic devotion, and service to our country as we move forward. It is time for the Democratic Party to build on the myriad accomplishments of the Biden administration and strive to uphold the values of integrity, justice, and unity that he has exemplified.”
“We want to thank President Biden for his long service to our country and the exceptional job he has done as president. President Biden led our country out of the worst pandemic in 100 years, reignited American manufacturing and infrastructure growth, brought unemployment to a 40-year low, and oversaw record job growth in Indiana and across the country,” said Indiana Democratic Party Chairman Mike Schmuhl.
“In Indiana alone, Hoosiers saw an administration committed to advancing union labor, creating more opportunities for working families, and combating climate change,” he added. “President Biden broke through the partisanship in Washington to pass the Infrastructure and Jobs Act, the American Rescue Plan, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the CHIPS and Science Act. We are committed to continuing the progress and building on the infrastructure decade President Biden has started.”
“More than anyone, President Biden understands the importance of this election and this moment. That’s why, after deliberation and thought, he decided to leave the presidential race and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris to defeat Donald Trump and stop Project 2025. Americans are hungry for a new generation of leadership from the White House to local offices to move America forward with liberty and justice for all.”
Now is the time to unite behind Vice President Kamala Harris to defeat Donald Trump and continue the progress of the last three-plus years. Vice President Harris has already shown leadership on the issues that impact everyday Americans, from gun violence prevention to protecting abortion rights and fighting for reproductive justice in all 50 states.”
Biden’s backing helps clear the way for Harris, but a smooth transition is not assured.
The Democratic National Convention is scheduled for Aug. 19-22 in Chicago. Still, the party had announced that it would hold a virtual roll call to nominate Biden before in-person proceedings begin formally.
It remained to be seen whether other candidates would challenge Harris for the nomination or how the party may need to adjust its rules again to smooth Harris’ nomination on the floor.
Former President Donald Trump swiftly reacted to President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 election, saying his former opponent was “not fit to run.”
Trump issued his statement on Truth Social, writing, “Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve – And never was!”
He continued, “All those around him, including his Doctor and the Media, knew that he wasn’t capable of being President, and he wasn’t.”
Trump went on to bring up some of his regular campaign talking points, slamming Biden over the border before adding, “We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
At the start of his statement, Trump called Biden “the Worst President, by far, in the History of our Nation.
The former president’s campaign immediately began a new fundraising push following Biden’s announcement, writing, “But RIGHT NOW, he just quit the race in COMPLETE DISGRACE!”
House Speaker Mike Johnson wrote on X, “At this unprecedented juncture in American history, we must be clear about what just happened. The Democrat Party forced the Democrat nominee off the ballot just over 100 days before the election.”
He also called for Biden to resign.
“If Joe Biden is not fit to run for President, he is not fit to serve as President. He must resign the office immediately. November 5 cannot arrive soon enough,” Johnson posted on X.
