Biden withdraws from Presidential race with shock letter after debate disaster and Covid battle leaving Dems in shambles

JOE Biden has sensationally ended his bid for reelection and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris after widespread calls to quit the 2024 presidential race.

President Biden finally caved to mounting pressure after a disastrous June debate with opponent Donald Trump, followed by weeks of unrelenting questions about his cognitive decline.

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It comes just over a week after the attempted assassination of Trump - which bolstered the Republican nominee's popularity and success in the polls.

At least 30 Democrats had publicly asked Biden to withdraw his bid for the White House as many planned to throw support behind Harris instead.

Biden made his stunning announcement in a letter posted to X on Sunday, revealing that he would not be seeking reelection in November.

He wrote: "It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President.

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"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 focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term."

Biden lauded the achievements made in his term so far and wrote: "Over the past three and a half years, we have made great progress as a Nation.

"Today, America has the strongest economy in the world. We've made historic investments in rebuilding our Nation, in lowering prescription drug costs for seniors, and in expanding affordable health care to a record number of Americans.

"We've provided critically needed care to a million veterans exposed to toxic substances. Passed the first gun safety law in 30 years. Appointed the first African American woman to the Supreme Court. And passed the most significant climate legislation in the history of the world."

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"America has never been better positioned to lead than we are today," he claimed.

The 81-year-old President added, "I know none of this could have been done without you, the American people.

"Together, we overcame a once-in-a-century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.

"We've protected and preserved our Democracy. And we've revitalized and strengthened our alliances around the world."

Biden said he planned to speak further about the bombshell decision later this week.

"For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me reelected. I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work," he wrote.

"And let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me.

"I believe today what I always have: that there is nothing America can't do — when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America."

It comes as...

• Biden admits stepping aside is "in the best interest" of the Democratic Party
• He immediately endorses Vice President Kamala Harris, who vows to "earn" the Democratic nomination
• Trump slams Biden as the "worst president in history" and says Kamala will be "easier to defeat"
• House Speaker Mike Johnson, GOP VP nominee JD Vance and other GOP call on Biden to resign now if he’s "not fit to run"
• Expert warns Biden dropping out is bad news for Republicans
• Bill and Hillary Clinton endorse Harris but Barack Obama doesn't
• Timeline reveals Biden's failed re-election bid from debate disaster to Democrat betrayals
• Gavin Newsom tops list of names floated as possible replacements for Biden

'OFFER MY FULL SUPPORT'

Following his announcement, Biden posted another tweet endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as the new Democratic party nominee.

"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," he wrote.

"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."

Bill and Hillary Clinton, who was floated as a replacement for Joe, announced their support of Harris, saying they were "honored to join the President in endorsing" her.

After Biden's endorsement, Harris thanked him for his support and said she plans to win the election and unite the Democratic party.

"Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election," she wrote.

"And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party—and unite our nation—to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda.

"We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win."

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky also thanked Biden for his "unwavering support for Ukraine's fight for freedom."

"Many strong decisions have been made in recent years and they will be remembered as bold steps taken by President Biden in response to challenging times. And we respect today's tough but strong decision," the president said.

'WASN'T CAPABLE OF BEING PRESIDENT'

GOP nominee Donald Trump was quick to blast Biden after his announcement, writing, "We will suffer greatly because of his presidency."

"Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve - And never was!" Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.

"He only attained the position of President by lies, Fake News, and not leaving his Basement.

"All those around him, including his Doctor and the Media, knew that he wasn’t capable of being President, and he wasn’t - And now, look what he’s done to our Country, with millions of people coming across our Border, totally unchecked and unvetted, many from prisons, mental institutions, and record numbers of terrorists.

"We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly. Make America Great Again!"

While a senior administration official said Biden's decision to drop out was not related to any new medical information, Biden's brother, Frank Biden, told ABC his sibling's decision to quit “boils down” to his “overall health and vitality."  

He reportedly added that "beating this genuine threat to our nation in the form of Donald Trump" was another reason.

His comments came after Trump wrote in another post, "Crooked Joe Biden is the Worst President, by far, in the History of our Nation."

"He has done everything possible to destroy our Country, from our Southern Border, to Energy Dominance, National Security, International Standing, and so much more.

"He was annihilated in an Earth Shattering Debate, and now the Corrupt and Radical Democrats are throwing him overboard. He was not fit to serve from the very beginning, but the people around him lied to America about his Complete and Total Mental, Physical, and Cognitive Demise.

"Whoever the Left puts up now will just be more of the same. Make America Great Again!"

He added, "Crooked Joe just got knocked out, so now I’ll have to do it a fourth time!!!"

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who challenged Trump earlier this year for the GOP nomination before dropping out, slammed VP Harris for standing by Joe before his announcement.

"Kamala Harris was complicit in a massive coverup to hide and deny the fact that Joe Biden was not capable of discharging the duties of the office," he wrote.

"She also was the border czar during the worst border crisis in American history. Democrats are just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic."

'NOTHING BUT PROUD'

Biden's family has showed their support for the president's decision after they reportedly discussed his exit plan earlier in the week.

The president's decision to drop out wasn't a huge surprise as it was reported he was expected to make a decision this weekend.

Jill Biden retweeted her husband's announcement and added two red hearts.

She also retweeted the president's second tweet about backing Harris.

Joe's son, Hunter Biden, issued a statement saying "I love you, Dad."

"For my entire life, I've looked at my dad in awe. How could he suffer so much heartache and yet give so much of whatever remained of his heart to others?" Hunter said.

He went on to detail how his dad has "absorbed the pain of countless everyday Americans" over his 54 years as a public servant.

"I'm so lucky every night I get to tell him I love him, and to thank him," he said. "I ask all Americans to join me tonight in doing the same."

Naomi Biden, Hunter's daughter and the president's granddaughter, said she was "nothing but proud."

"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," she wrote.

"Not only has he been—and will continue to be—the most effective president of our lifetime, but he has likely already cemented himself as the most effective and impactful public servant in our nation’s history.

"He has been at the center of, and had a material impact on, literally every single major issue that our country and world has faced for 50 years.

"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."

'AN INCREDIBLE 24 DAYS'

The world has begun to react to Biden removing himself from the race with English journalist Piers Morgan writing, "Breaking: Biden quits."

He also posted a picture of Biden asking, "If Biden’s unfit to stay in the presidential race, then surely he’s unfit to remain President too?"

In another tweet, he commented on the stunning series of developments that the United States has seen in just a month.

Trump's comment on Biden ending reelection bid

On July 21, 2024, President Joe Biden announced that he will not seek the Democratic nomination for president and ended his reelection campaign.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump's comment on Biden ending his reelection bid:

"Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve - And never was!

"He only attained the position of President by lies, Fake News, and not leaving his Basement.

"All those around him, including his Doctor and the Media, knew that he wasn’t capable of being President, and he wasn’t - And now, look what he’s done to our Country, with millions of people coming across our Border, totally unchecked and unvetted, many from prisons, mental institutions, and record numbers of terrorists.

"We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"

"The debate.. the shooting… now the dropout … what an incredible 24 days in American political history. Wow," Piers wrote.

Democratic officials have started to comment on Biden's withdrawal with Nancy Pelosi being one of them.

She wrote on Sunday afternoon: "President Joe Biden is a patriotic American who has always put our country first. His legacy of vision, values, and leadership make him one of the most consequential Presidents in American history.

"With love and gratitude to President Biden for always believing in the promise of America and giving people the opportunity to reach their fulfillment. God blessed America with Joe Biden’s greatness and goodness."

Morgan retweeted her tweet and wrote, "You literally just led the plot to end his career," with three laughing emojis.

Biden reportedly considered Pelosi the main instigator behind the push to drop out, sources close to the president have said, per The New York Times.

He also reportedly said former president Barack Obama was the puppet master behind the operation, per the NYT.

Obama praised Biden's decision to step aside after he told allies last week that Biden's chance of winning against Trump had "greatly diminished."

It was a shocking U-turn by Obama, who had tried to quell fears about Biden's terrible debate performance and fitness to serve another term.

'PASS THE MANTLE OF LEADERSHIP'

Top Democrats feared the party's future was in jeopardy with Biden's approval rating tanking after the debate.

Biden's departure from the campaign trail comes after top Democrats and more than 50 national security officials urged him to drop out.

"He will go down with a legacy unlike many people," West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin said on This Week with George Stephanopoulos.

"He's one of the finest and truly a patriot American.

"So with that, I come with a heavy heart and think that the time has come for him to pass the torch to a younger generation," Manchin said.

National security officials all signed a letter imploring Biden to step down for the good of the US.

"With the deepest appreciation for your many decades of inspired leadership, we strongly believe that ongoing concerns surrounding your continued candidacy," the letter obtained by CNN read.

"And the growing likelihood of an electoral college victory for Donald Trump put your national security accomplishments — and our country and your legacy — at an unacceptable level of risk."

"Donald Trump’s vision, approach, and expressed intentions concerning our nation’s security are in fundamental conflict with the values and principles for which you have stood."

“We strongly believe that now is the time to pass the mantle of leadership, and we respectfully urge you to do so,” it concludes.

The letter was signed by 56 people who have served in multiple administrations, including former ambassadors and former high-ranking foreign policy officials.

Former US ambassador to the Czech Republic, John Shattuck, and a former National Security Council official during the Bill Clinton administration, Eric Shultz, helmed the letter.

Sources close to the pair revealed they sent the letter to the White House.

And, with Trump riding a sky-high wave of momentum after surviving an assassination attempt on July 13, Democrats were worried about losing winnable seats in the House and Senate to the GOP.

DEMOCRATS TURN ON BIDEN

In the weeks since the first presidential debate, reports began to surface that Democratic leaders were holding closed-door meetings with the 81-year-old president and, at times, without him.

The anxious atmosphere in these confidential meetings was described as a total meltdown of the Democratic Party, according to The New York Times.

Rattled Dem leaders even privately told Biden on several occasions that he needed to step aside and let another candidate take over to challenge the Republican Party, the outlet reported.

These meetings reportedly included heavyweight Democrats like Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.

Schumer reportedly told Biden in Delaware on July 13 that it would be best for him to drop out.

And Pelosi was said to have told Biden that he could destroy Democrats' chance of taking back the House.

The scrutiny surrounding the president's health and inability to lead was too glaring for Democrats to ignore, according to Axios.

Obama and Bill Clinton defended Biden in the aftermath of the debate, calling it a bad night.

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But, weeks removed from the debate, Obama told allies that his former vice president's path to victory in the 2024 election "greatly diminished," according to The Washington Post.

He said Biden needed to "seriously consider the viability of his candidacy."

Obama insisted Biden had done a great job for the country but wanted him to protect his accomplishments, the outlet reported.

However, Obama echoed Democrats' concerns about what would happen if Republicans took full control of the White House and both chambers of Congress.

Biden's Covid-19 diagnosis on July 17 was the final nail in the coffin of his hopes for reelection.

The Biden team canceled a rally in Las Vegas following his positive Covid result and halted future campaign stops as the president was forced to self-isolate.

However, Biden's campaign insisted through the weekend that he was still running for re-election - until this afternoon.

REPUBLICANS STAND UNITED

As the Democratic Party scrambles to find a replacement on the blue ticket just four months before the November election, GOP leaders stood united during the Republican National Convention.

Over 2,000 Republican delegates from across the nation descended on Milwaukee to formally recognize Trump as the party's presidential nominee.

The grand Republican conference took place two days after Trump was injured in an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13.

Trump's right ear was grazed by a bullet from an AR-15 rifle minutes into the start of his rally.

The would-be assassin, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, managed to scale and bear crawl on the rooftop of a glass company building about 150 yards from the rally podium undetected.

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Crooks, who was from Bethel Park about an hour south of Butler, fired eight shots at the former president, killing rally-goer Corey Comperatore and injuring two others.

A clear motive behind Crooks' shooting has not been determined.

To add to the confusion and uncertainty, reports emerged that Crooks was a registered Republican and former Trump supporter.

Neighbors told local ABC affiliate WTAE-TV that the Crooks' are known to be very conservative and had Trump signs in their yards until just a few months ago.

But despite the attempt on his life, a grateful and defiant Trump boldly continued his campaign trail, attending the four-day RNC with a bandage on his right ear.

Republican leaders praised Trump while ripping the Biden administration.

Trump's most prominent primary challengers, Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis, aligned with the Republican presidential candidate's policies while seemingly rescinding their previous statements about him.

Trump delivered a passionate speech during the final night of the RNC, telling constituents he was a "quarter of an inch from death" and saying he was "not supposed to be here."

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DEMOCRATS DIVIDED

As Trump and his vice president nominee, JD Vance, stand shoulder-to-shoulder, forming a united force among Republicans, the division between Biden and Democrats expanded.

Democrats continued to call on Biden to withdraw from the race for the country's sake and the party's future.

Biden failed to reassure allies and voters that he could recover after his concerning performance in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 27.

After his poor performance, Biden contacted several Democratic elected officials and met with governors, his family, and advisers about his plans in the days following the debate, according to The New York Times.

Biden then went on a media frenzy, trying to reassure the American public and constituents he was mentally fit to hold office for another four years.

The president appeared in multiple interviews, but many Democratic lawmakers felt his media tour only made him look worse, according to CNN.

However, instead of changing the sentiment surrounding his campaign, Biden's persistent gaffs were too glaring to overlook.

During an interview with a Philadelphia radio station, Biden referred to himself as "the First Black woman to work with a Black president."

In his first televised interview after the debate with ABC's George Stephanopoulos, Biden insisted the presidential debate was just a bad night for him, saying he didn't feel well and was fatigued.

Biden's health has been a hot topic throughout his presidency, including leading up to the debate.

Many voters feared whether Biden could manage another four years in office.

On multiple occasions, Biden said he believed he was "the best man for the job" despite his low approval ratings, sitting at just 36 percent.

Several independent polls, even before June's debate, also indicated that as many as 95 percent of Biden's voter base was planning to vote for the president not because they supported him but rather to stop Trump from regaining office.

And with the polls as close as they were, split at 42-40 with Trump having the slight lead, Democrats were quickly losing confidence in Biden's ability to beat Trump come November in such a crucial election.

Texas Representative Lloyd Doggett was the first Democratic official to publicly call for Biden to step aside but was far from the last.

"I had hoped that the debate would provide some momentum to change that. It did not," Doggett said in a statement days after the debate.

"Instead of reassuring voters, the president failed to effectively defend his many accomplishments and expose Trump's many lies."

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The loss of support among Democrats continued with Illinois Representative Mike Quigley telling Bloomberg, "I reject the notion this was a bad night and everything's okay.

"This was a bad night, and it's a serious situation that has to be dealt with."

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