President Joe Biden has announced he is dropping out of the 2024 presidential race, ending his bid for a second term in the White House. In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Biden stated, “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.” Biden went on to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee, expressing his full support for her candidacy. “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. 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,” he continued.
Biden’s decision to step aside comes after a series of events that have raised concerns about his ability to lead the country. His performance in the June 27 debate was widely criticized, with many commentators questioning his mental fitness and ability to handle the demands of the presidency. This led to calls from within the Democratic Party for him to drop out of the race, with some expressing concerns about his ability to effectively challenge former President Donald Trump.
Despite the mounting pressure, Biden initially insisted he would remain in the race. However, just minutes before endorsing Harris, he announced his decision to withdraw from the presidential contest. “It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek re-election, 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 said in his letter.
Meanwhile, former President Trump, who has been formally nominated as the Republican Party’s presidential candidate, continues to gain ground in polls. Trump’s momentum has been bolstered by Biden’s recent struggles and his own strong performance at the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The RNC, which concluded just days after an assassination attempt on Trump in Pennsylvania, saw him formally announce Ohio Sen. JD Vance as his running mate. During his highly-anticipated speech, Trump addressed the shooting, thanking the audience for their support and calling it a “providential moment.”
Biden’s decision to drop out of the race has shifted the political landscape and will likely have a significant impact on the upcoming election. It remains to be seen whether Harris can unite the Democratic Party and capitalize on Biden’s support to defeat Trump in the November election.
