In a dramatic turn of events, President Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he is withdrawing from the US presidential election and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party’s new nominee. This political earthquake has upended the already extraordinary race for the White House, injecting fresh energy into the Democratic Party.
Biden’s Decision to Step Down
At 81 years old, Biden cited the “best interest of my party and the country” as the reason for his decision, following weeks of pressure after a disastrous June debate against Donald Trump. Concerns about Biden’s age and mental fitness were stoked during this debate, leading to his decision to step down.
“The greatest honor of my life has been to serve as President,” Biden wrote in a letter posted on X. “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’s withdrawal came with no prior warning, as he recovered from Covid-19 at his Delaware beach house. He will address the nation later this week, though he has no public events scheduled for Monday, according to the White House.
Kamala Harris: The New Democratic Nominee
With Biden’s endorsement, Kamala Harris is now the Democratic Party’s nominee for president. Harris, the first Black and South Asian woman vice president in US history, swiftly confirmed her goal to become America’s first woman president and to “defeat Donald Trump.”
Endorsements for Harris began streaming in from Democratic heavyweights and potential rivals, including California Governor Gavin Newsom. The Democratic fundraising group ActBlue reported that Harris received $46.7 million in small-donor contributions just hours after her campaign announcement, marking its “biggest fundraising day of the 2024 cycle.”
Reaction from Republicans
Donald Trump reacted to Biden’s withdrawal with a series of posts on his Truth Social network, asserting that Biden’s unfitness to run for president also makes him unfit to serve. Trump’s campaign now faces the challenge of shifting focus from Biden to Harris, a much younger opponent.
Trump’s new running mate, J.D. Vance, emphasized Harris’s close association with Biden, describing him as “the worst president in my lifetime.”
A Historic and Unprecedented Move
Biden’s decision to withdraw marks the first time a sitting US president has exited an election race so late. This announcement follows a period of enforced isolation during Biden’s Covid recovery, where he consulted only a few family members and aides.
Former President Barack Obama cautioned that “uncharted waters” lie ahead for the Democratic Party. Biden’s decision came after intense internal debate among Democrats about whether he should step down, especially following the tumultuous June 27 debate.
Harris’s Path Forward
Kamala Harris has faced challenges in her first years in the White House but has performed strongly on key issues such as abortion on the campaign trail. Biden’s campaign had reportedly been quietly surveying voters to gauge how Harris matched up against Trump.
With Biden’s departure, the Democratic Party must now confirm a new candidate at their convention in Chicago on August 19. Harris praised Biden for his “selfless and patriotic act” and vowed to “earn and win” the nomination.
Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential race and endorsement of Kamala Harris has reshaped the 2024 election landscape. This move transforms what was a highly unpopular Trump-Biden rematch into a compelling presidential campaign, with Harris aiming to become the first woman president of the United States.
Afsheen Gohar believes in the power of clear, straightforward writing. Her blog posts tackle everyday topics with relatable insights and easy-to-follow advice. With a conversational style, she makes complex subjects feel understandable. She’s dedicated to sharing knowledge and empowering readers to take action. Find her latest posts on trending in social.
