US President Joe Biden will address the nation from the Oval Office on Wednesday evening, explaining his decision to withdraw from the 2024 Democratic reelection race. The address is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (5:30 am IST). Biden, who has not been seen publicly since July 17, is set to return to the White House on Tuesday. On Monday, he participated in a campaign meeting via telephone, expressing his support for Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential bid. He emphasised that the mission of the campaign remains unchanged despite the leadership change.
In a post on X, President Biden announced that he would speak “on what lies ahead” and how he plans to “finish the job for the American people.” This announcement follows his isolation at his Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, home after being diagnosed with COVID-19 last week.
US Presidential Elections 2024: Biden Says Dropping Out Of Race 'Was The Right Thing To Do'
During his telephonic address to his former campaign team, now supporting Harris, Biden said, “I want to tell the team, embrace her. She’s the best. I want to thank everybody for their effort. I know yesterday’s news is surprising and hard for you to hear, but it was the right thing to do.” According to news agency PTI, he added, “What we still need to save is democracy. Trump is still a danger to the community. He’s a danger to the nation.”
Biden’s decision follows weeks of pressure from fellow Democrats, exacerbated by a lacklustre performance in a debate against former US president Donald Trump on June 27. Prominent Democratic leaders, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, questioned whether Biden’s debate performance was a temporary setback or indicative of deeper issues.
The situation escalated when Representative Lloyd Doggett publicly urged Biden to withdraw from the race. Despite Biden’s firm stance in a July 5 interview with ABC News where he stated only the “Lord Almighty” could convince him to exit, the calls for his withdrawal continued to grow.
Public concern over Biden’s health and readiness was further heightened by a series of verbal slip-ups, including confusing Vice President Kamala Harris with Trump and referring to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as Russian President Vladimir Putin.
On Sunday, Biden announced his decision to end his reelection campaign from his beach house in Delaware. This marks the first time an incumbent US President has dropped out of a reelection bid so close to Election Day. Biden’s endorsement of Harris sets the stage for a historic campaign as she seeks to become the first female president of the United States.