President Joe Biden announced Sunday that he is ending his presidential campaign and will, instead, endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Biden has come increasingly under pressure to step down amid growing concerns about his overall fitness for office and age.
“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,” he said Sunday afternoon in a post on X.
His June 27 debate against Republican nominee Donald Trump raised serious questions about Biden’s cognitive health, as at times, he appeared to bumble and murmur his way through.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024
Biden endorsed Harris as his successor, who is yet to issue a statement on Biden dropping out of the race.
“My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President,” Biden wrote. “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.”
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
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024
A new poll from the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that about 6 in 10 Democrats believe Harris would do a good job as president. In comparison, approximately 2 in 10 Democrats don’t think she would, per the Associated Press. However, only 3 out of 10 Americans believe Harris would do a good job overall.
Following the announcement, Trump reacted to the news on his Truth Social platform.
“Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve – And never was! He only attained the position of President by lies, Fake News, and not leaving his Basement,” he wrote. “All those around him, including his Doctor and the Media, knew that he wasn’t capable of being President, and he wasn’t – And now, look what he’s done to our Country, with millions of people coming across our Border, totally unchecked and unvetted, many from prisons, mental institutions, and record numbers of terrorists. We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
My statement on President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. pic.twitter.com/FyHiIn51Kz
— Hakeem Jeffries (@RepJeffries) July 21, 2024
The Democratic House minority leader, Hakeem Jeffries, thanked Joe Biden for his service to the country.
“President Joe Biden is one of the most accomplished and consequential leaders in American history. In less than one term, he rescued the nation from a once-in-a-century pandemic, brought the economy roaring back from the brink of recession, enacted consequential legislation for everyday Americans and saved our democracy by defeating the Insurrectionist-in-Chief,” Jeffries said in a statement. “America is a better place today because President Joe Biden has led us with intellect, grace and dignity. We are forever grateful.”
