In a shocking turn of events, Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he is withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party’s new nominee. This major development reshapes the already extraordinary race for the White House.
Biden, 81, cited the “best interest of my party and the country” as his reason for stepping down, following weeks of mounting pressure after a challenging debate against Donald Trump in June raised concerns about his age and mental fitness.
This unexpected move throws the Democratic Party into new uncertainty ahead of the November 5 election. However, it also has the potential to revitalize the party, with Harris immediately setting her sights on becoming America’s first female president and defeating Trump. Trump responded on his Truth Social network, arguing that if Biden is not “fit to run” for president, he is also not “fit to serve.”
Biden was the Worst President in US History; Donald Trump
Former President Donald Trump has issued strong statements about President Joe Biden’s fitness for office in light of Biden’s recent withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race. Trump asserted that Biden “was not fit to run for president” and “is not fit to serve” as president, claiming he “never was” capable of holding the position. He labelled Biden as “the worst president in the history of our country,” condemning his administration’s handling of key issues, especially immigration, and suggesting that the country has suffered under Biden’s leadership.
Biden’s decision, while anticipated by some, came abruptly as he recuperated from COVID at his Delaware beach house. In a letter posted on X, Biden expressed that serving as president has been the “greatest honor of my life” and mentioned he would address the nation later in the week. The White House confirmed he had no public events scheduled for Monday.
“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 focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term,” Biden wrote.
Shortly after, Biden endorsed Harris, with his campaign quickly rebranding to “Harris for President.” Democratic leaders, including potential rivals like California Governor Gavin Newsom, began endorsing Harris. The Democratic fundraising group ActBlue reported that Harris received $27.5 million in small-donor contributions within just five hours.
“EARN and WIN”
Democrats are now racing to confirm a new candidate at their party convention in Chicago on August 19, following Joe Biden’s unexpected withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race. Vice President Kamala Harris, the first black and South Asian woman to hold the office, commended Biden for his “selfless and patriotic act” and pledged to “earn and win” the nomination.
Former President Barack Obama, still a significant influence in the Democratic Party, warned that “uncharted waters” lie ahead. Biden’s decision followed a period of isolation due to a COVID infection, during which he consulted with only a few family members and aides at his Rehoboth Beach home.
First Lady Jill Biden responded by simply reposting his statement with two hearts. Meanwhile, Trump’s new running mate, J.D. Vance, emphasised Harris’s close association with Biden, calling him “the worst president in my lifetime,” signalling how Republicans plan to frame Harris’s candidature.
First President in US History to Drop Out
Biden is the first president in US history to drop out so late in an election race. He resisted calls to step down for over three weeks following a challenging debate on June 27, during which he frequently lost his train of thought.
Kamala Harris, while struggling to make an impact during her early years in the White House, has shown a strong performance on the campaign trail, particularly on key issues like abortion. In recent weeks, the Biden campaign reportedly conducted surveys comparing Harris directly with Trump, assessing her viability against the former president.
Biden took office in January 2021, vowing to heal the “soul of America” after the turmoil of Trump’s presidency and the January 6 Capitol attack. Despite his reputation for verbal missteps, Biden’s tenure saw significant accomplishments, including robust support for Ukraine against Russia’s 2022 invasion, a massive COVID recovery plan, and historic green industry subsidies.
However, he faced sharp criticism over the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan, persistent high inflation, and his support for Israel’s actions in Gaza, all while concerns over his age continued to grow.
Who will replace Biden?
With Biden’s exit, the current predictions for the election favour Donald Trump. As of July 22, 2024, Trump has a 63% chance of winning the presidency. Kamala Harris is seen as the next likely candidate with a 29.15% chance, and other potential Democratic candidates collectively hold about 5.2%.
The Democratic National Committee is now faced with the task of adjusting its strategy ahead of the upcoming convention in Chicago, where delegates previously pledged to Biden will need to reassess their votes.
