President Joe Biden has announced his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race, just four months before the election. Facing mounting pressure from top Democratic leaders and concerns over his re-election chances, Biden made the decision public via his X platform (formerly Twitter).
Biden’s campaign faced significant pressure from within the Democratic Party. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reportedly expressed concerns privately about Biden’s candidacy. Former President Barack Obama also indicated that Biden’s chances of winning had greatly diminished.
Several influential Democratic figures, including Senator Joe Manchin and Congressman Jamie Raskin, called for Biden to step aside, citing the need for a new generation of leadership. Manchin praised Biden’s legacy and urged him to focus on key issues like supporting Ukraine and resolving the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Despite Biden’s repeated assertions that he would not step down, the calls for his withdrawal grew louder. High-ranking Democrats like Adam Schiff, Peter Welch, and Martin Heinrich joined the chorus, emphasizing the need for Biden to make a difficult but necessary decision.
Announcing his decision to withdraw, Biden expressed gratitude to Vice President Kamala Harris and the American people. He reiterated his belief in America’s potential and pledged to focus on his duties for the remainder of his term. Biden’s endorsement of Harris as the Democratic presidential nominee followed his announcement, calling her his “best decision” and urging Democrats to unite to defeat Donald Trump.
Former President Donald Trump responded to Biden’s withdrawal by claiming that Biden was “not fit to run” and criticizing his presidency. Trump vowed to “remedy the damage” he believes Biden has caused.
Biden’s decision marks a significant shift in the 2024 presidential race, setting the stage for Kamala Harris to become the Democratic nominee and intensifying the contest against Trump in the upcoming election.
