It’s official. President Joe Biden is dropping out of the Presidential race.
Biden made the announcement nearly a month after his first debate against Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump. During that debate, the 81-year-old incumbent appeared listless and, at times, incoherent, sparking concerns over his age and ability to lead the United States for another four years.
His performance sparked panic among the Democratic Party’s upper ranks, with prominent leaders split over whether the President should step down.
As of Sunday afternoon, it appears that Biden has heeded that call.
“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 announced in a statement posted to X.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024
Influential Democratic leaders across the country, from Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to former President Barack Obama and Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, have privately urged Biden to reconsider running, even as the Democratic National Convention in Chicago is less than a month away.
As the party’s fissure appeared to deepen in recent weeks, other prominent Democratic lawmakers, such as Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) and California governor Gavin Newsom, whom many have been touting as the President’s successor, publicly declared their support for Biden’s remaining in the race.
Moreover, just days ago, more than 1,400 Black women and their allies expressed their support for President Biden and Vice President Harris via a letter.
The document was signed by prominent Black leaders such as Carol Moseley Braun, the first African American woman elected to the Senate; Keisha Lance Bottoms, former senior adviser to Biden and former mayor of Atlanta; and Melanie Campbell, chair of the Power of the Ballot Action Fund, among many others.
“History is a great teacher and has taught us that a divided house will fail,” the letter read. “As Black women, we are uniquely aware of the very real threat a second Trump term poses to our country and especially to our community. But this is not a moment to give in to fear. Instead, we must unify around our deep belief in our values and our ability to effectively engage voters and win up and down the ballot in 2024.”
That letter and other declarations of support for the President appear to be all for naught.
As expected, Biden’s bombshell decision reverberated beyond his own party and the free world, with many offering support as the Democratic party finds itself without a nominee less than 110 days out, facing its most consequential election yet—the results of which could potentially reshape the nation.
The party’s decision to go with another nominee with so little campaigning runway appears to be nothing short of a “Hail Mary.”
“I’m nothing but proud today of my Pop, our President, Joe Biden, who has served our country with every bit of his soul and with unmatched distinction,” wrote his daughter Naomi Biden on X. “Our world is better today in so many ways thanks to him. To the Americans who have always had his back, keep the faith. He will always have ours.”
Here are other reactions from across social media to Biden’s shocker of a decision:
President Biden has been an extraordinary, history-making president — a leader who has fought hard for working people and delivered astonishing results for all Americans. He will go down in history as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents.
Thank you, @JoeBiden. https://t.co/HMUMEB1fTl
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) July 21, 2024
REV. AL SHARPTON STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT BIDEN’S DECISION TO LEAVE THE 2024 PRESIDENTIAL RACE
New York, NY (July 21, 2024) – Rev. Al Sharpton, the Founder and President of the National Action Network (NAN), issued the following statement on President Biden’s decision to drop out…
— Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) July 21, 2024
Joe Biden has earned his place among the best and most consequential presidents in American history.
I am so proud to serve under his leadership, and thankful for his unwavering focus on what is best for our country.
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) July 21, 2024
Democrats should be embarrassed by the way President Biden was treated by his own colleagues the last month. He is one of the most transformative Presidents of a generation.
That fight is over.
I dare not wage into another.
Kamala Harris is battle tested and battle ready.
I…
— Bakari Sellers (@Bakari_Sellers) July 21, 2024
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