| Part of thepresidency of Joe Biden and the2024 Democratic Party presidential primaries | |
 Biden speaking about his earlier decision to withdraw his candidacy in anOval Office address, July 24, 2024 | |
| Date | July 21, 2024; 18 months ago (2024-07-21) |
|---|---|
| Outcome |
|
On July 21, 2024,Joe Biden, the 46thpresident of the United States, announced his withdrawal from the2024 United States presidential election.
Biden, aDemocrat who had been elected president in2020, stated on April 25, 2023 that he wouldrun for re-election in 2024 with incumbent Vice PresidentKamala Harris as his running mate. Biden went on to win an overwhelming majority of delegates in the2024 Democratic Party presidential primaries, where he easily defeated challengers such asRepresentativeDean Phillips and became the party's presumptive nominee.
Concerns about Biden's age and health had emerged during his presidency. These concerns increased followingthe June 2024 presidential debate between Biden andRepublican Party candidateDonald Trump. Biden's debate performance was widely criticized; he lost his train of thought, had a faltering appearance, spoke with a hoarse voice, and failed to recall statistics or coherently express his opinion on several occasions. While he insisted that he would continue his campaign, Biden subsequently faced calls from fellow Democrats and from theeditorial boards of major news outlets to withdraw from the race. By July 19, 2024, more than 30 senior Democrats had called for his withdrawal.
Biden ultimately ended his re-election campaign on July 21, 2024, before being officially re-nominated at theDemocratic National Convention, becoming the first incumbent president to end a re-election campaign before Election Day sinceLyndon B. Johnson in 1968. After adding that he would continue serving as president for the remainder of his term, Biden immediately endorsed Harris to replace him in his place as the party's presidential nominee. Harris officially become the party's presidential nominee and went on to lose the 2024 election to Trump.
 2024 U.S. presidential election |
|---|
| Republican Party |
| Democratic Party |
| Third parties |
| Related races |
| ||
|---|---|---|
Personal U.S. Senator from Delaware 47th Vice President of the United States Vice presidential campaigns 46th President of the United States Tenure   | ||
Historically, most sitting U.S. presidents who completed one full term chose to run for a second. Seven[a] presidents were eligible for reelection after completing at least one full term in office, but chose not to run before their party's nominating convention.[1]
Historically, the only elected U.S. president to be denied their party's nomination at the national convention while they were running for re-election to a second term wasFranklin Pierce, aDemocrat, who was in office from 1853 through 1857. Additionally, four other incumbent U.S. presidents,John Tyler,Millard Fillmore,Andrew Johnson, andChester A. Arthur, were denied their party's nomination at the national convention when they ran for a second term; however, none of these presidents were elected for their first term, and all had assumed the presidency after the death of the previous incumbent.[2][3]
Biden was 78 years old athis inauguration, making him theoldest individual to assume the presidency.[4] Biden was also older when he assumed the office thanRonald Reagan, the previous oldest, had been when leaving it.[5]Health concerns surrounding Biden emerged during his presidency, primarily about his age and ability to carry out a second term. In a report in theJournal on Active Aging, doctors noted he had an "exceptional health profile" relative to his age, and a medical assessment performed by physicianKevin O'Connor attested to his physical acuity.[6] Biden's aides dismissed age-related concerns as politically motivated attacks by Republicans.[7]
On July 28, 2022, U.S. RepresentativeDean Phillips became the first incumbent Democratic member of Congress to say President Biden should not run for re-election; Phillips called for "generational change," pointing to Biden's age.[8] Phillips argued during hispresidential campaign that President Biden would be a weak general election candidate due to his age and low approval ratings.[9] In public, Phillips was ridiculed. In private, others in the Democratic Party shared his concerns.[10]
In February 2024, upon concluding theinvestigation into Biden's handling of classified documents,special counselRobert Hur suggested that Biden would be able to present himself to a jury as an "elderly man with poor memory". Based on his interview of Biden, Hur wrote that Biden's memory "appeared to have significant limitations".[11] According to a February 2024 poll, Biden's age and health were major or moderate concerns for 86% of voters generally,[12] up from 76% earlier in 2020.[13] According to another 2024 poll, most of those who voted for Biden in 2020 said that they believed he was too old to be an effective president;The New York Times noted that these concerns "cut across generations, gender, race and education".[14]
On April 25, 2023, after months of speculation,[15][16] Biden confirmed that he would run for reelection to the presidency in the 2024 presidential election with Vice President Kamala Harris as his running mate.[17]
Biden faced opposition from RepresentativeDean Phillips during the 2024 Democratic Party presidential primaries. Phillipscampaigned as a younger alternative to Biden, who would be a stronger opponent for Trump.[18][19][20] On March 6, 2024, Phillips suspended his campaign and endorsed Biden.[21]
Biden and Trump faced each other in a televised debate on June 27, 2024. Described as a "disaster" for Biden,[22][23][24] the debate reinforced concerns about Biden's age. Biden appeared confused and disoriented during the debate's first half and gave meandering answers to questions.[25] He failed to recall statistics or coherently express his opinion on several occasions.[26][27]
Politico described Biden's performance as follows:
The alarm bells for Democrats started ringing the second Biden started speaking in a haltingly hoarse voice. Minutes into the debate, he struggled to mount an effective defense of the economy on his watch and flubbed the description of key health initiatives he’s made central to his reelection bid... He repeatedly mixed up “billion” and “million,” and found himself stuck for long stretches of the 90-minute debate playing defense.
And when he wasn’t speaking, he stood frozen behind his podium, mouth agape, his eyes wide and unblinking for long stretches of time.[28]
The debate sent many Democrats "into a panic".[27] The resulting political turmoil within the Democratic Party was referred to as the "Biden crisis".[29][30][31]Politico's article on the debate was entitled, "Dems freak out over Biden’s debate performance: 'Biden is toast'".[28] Prior to Biden's withdrawal, the wordJoever, a portmanteau ofJoe andover, was used by critics and media to describe the state of Biden's campaign.[b] Though the word was first coined in ameme on4chan's/pol/ imageboard in 2020, the word's usage in social media posts and major media stories increased significantly following the debate.[37]
Following the debate, Biden faced calls from fellow Democrats[38] and from theeditorial boards of major news outlets[39][40] to withdraw from the race. On July 2, RepresentativeLloyd Doggett (D-TX) became the first sitting Democrat in Congress to call on Biden to drop out after the debate. He said, “Unlike Trump, Biden really does want to put the country first. He can put the country first by putting himself aside.”[41] However, former PresidentBill Clinton, former PresidentBarack Obama,[42]Vice PresidentKamala Harris,[43] Senate Democratic LeaderChuck Schumer,[44] and California Gov.Gavin Newsom[45] publicly defended Biden and supported his continued candidacy.
On July 3, twenty Democratic governors met with Biden at the White House and virtually to discuss the debate's effect on his campaign.[46] Following the meeting, GovernorsWes Moore of Maryland,Kathy Hochul of New York, andTim Walz of Minnesota spoke to the press outside of the White House, with Walz specifically admitting that "Thursday night was a bad performance" and a "bad hit".[47]
Biden stated in anABC News interview withGeorge Stephanopoulos on July 5 that he would not end his candidacy[48] unless "the Lord Almighty came down and said, 'Joe, get out of the race'". He added, "The Lord Almighty's not coming down."[49] According toPolitico, "Members of Congress and top Democratic operatives" said that "the president was more energetic and forceful than he was on stage during last week's showdown with Donald Trump — but it likely won't be enough to tame the panic" concerning his campaign.[50]
On July 8, 2024,The Wall Street Journal reported that Biden's team had limited his schedule, personal interactions, media appearances, interviews, and unscripted exchanges in order to minimize concerns about his age and mental acuity.[51] According toNewsweek, theWall Street Journal report stated that Biden "was having 'good and bad days' as far back as 2021".[52]
The Biden campaign attempted to reduce the intensity of the pressure on Biden to withdraw from the race until he could be formally nominated in a virtual roll call vote prior to theDemocratic National Convention. In a sports analogy, this effort was described as "running out the clock".[53]
At the July 2024NATO summit, Biden mistakenly introduced Ukrainian PresidentVolodymyr Zelenskyy as "'President Putin'". He then corrected himself.[54][55] (Vladimir Putin is the president of Russia, with whom Ukraine wasat war at the time.) Later at the same event, Biden confused his running mate with his opponent. When asked a question regarding Vice PresidentKamala Harris, he responded, "'Look, I wouldn't have picked Vice President Trump to be vice president [if I didn't] think she was not qualified to be president'".[56]
On July 17,ABC News reported thatHouse Minority LeaderHakeem Jeffries andSenate Majority LeaderChuck Schumer had met with Biden on July 12 and 13, respectively, and had expressed concerns to Biden about potential Democratic losses in Congress that could result from the continuation of his campaign.[57] Biden reportedly told Schumer that he needed another week to make a decision.[58]
Later on July 17, Biden tested positive forCOVID-19.[59] He experienced mild symptoms, including a cough, runny nose, and "generalmalaise".[60] However, images of him looking frail exiting fromAir Force One on the way to isolation at his residence inRehoboth Beach, Delaware, fueled further speculation over his health.[61]The New York Times reported that Biden was "more receptive" to withdrawing his nomination.[62] In phone conversations, former House speakerNancy Pelosi told Biden she was pessimistic about his candidacy.[63]
By July 19, 2024, more than 30 congressional Democrats had publicly called on Biden to end his presidential campaign. Many more had communicated the same message privately.[64]
CNN reported that on July 20, Biden met with advisorsSteve Ricchetti andMike Donilon. During that meeting, the group concluded that worsening poll numbers and a loss of party support had left the campaign without a plausible path to victory.[65] That evening, Biden began planning a possible exit from the race with Ricchetti, Donilon, and other close aides, and he fully committed to the decision on the morning of July 21.[66][67]
On July 21, 2024, Biden released a letter announcing the withdrawal of his presidential candidacy.[68] In the letter, he wrote, "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 thanked his supporters and set forth various areas in which he believed that the nation had made progress during his administration. He concluded, "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".[69]
Biden's announcement "was met with a rash of statements from Democrats praising his leadership. It also set off a palpable wave of relief among many in the party, including those who feared that his staying on the ticket could jeopardize the party’s chances in down-ballot races".[70] California Gov.Gavin Newsom called Biden "'an extraordinary, history-making president — a leader who has fought hard for working people and delivered astonishing results for all Americans'", adding that Biden would "'go down in history as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents'". In contrast, Republican House SpeakerMike Johnson responded, "'If Joe Biden is not fit to run for president, he is not fit to serve as President. He must resign the office immediately'".[68]
Nearly 30 minutes after he withdrew from the race, Biden immediately endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him in his place as the party's presidential nominee.[71][72] Biden is the first incumbent president sinceLyndon B. Johnson in 1968 to withdraw from the race.[73]
On July 24, 2024, in his first appearance since withdrawing from the presidential race, Biden explained his decision. Speaking from the Oval Office, he stated that his reason was the "defense of democracy". Addressing the presidential campaigns, he remarked, "America's going to have to choose between moving forward or backward, between hope and hate, between unity and division".[74][75]
Biden's pledged delegates were released by virtue of his exit from the race.[76][77] In a survey of delegates by theAssociated Press on July 22, 2024, Harris became the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee after receiving pledges from more than half of the delegates.[78]
On August 5, 2024, Harris officailly become the party's presidential nominee after securing the support of 99% of delegates voting in a virtual roll call.[79]
After securing the Democratic presidential nomination, Harris went on to lose the general election to Trump.[80] Following Trump's victory, many analysts argued that Biden's decision to run for re-election was a significant factor in the loss of Harris.Jon Favreau ofPod Save America reported that internal polls by Biden's campaign before his withdrawal found that Trump would win 400electoral votes against Biden.[81][82] Former Speaker of the HouseNancy Pelosi suggested that the Democrats would have fared better if Biden had withdrawn from the race sooner.[83] AYouGov poll suggested that Trump would be seven points ahead in a race with Biden (49-42%); Trump won the popular vote 49.8-48.3% against Harris.[84] To the contrary,Newsweek suggested that Biden would have appealed to more union voters and men than Harris did.[85]
In December 2024, Biden expressed regret for his decision to drop out of the race and added that he believed he could have beaten Trump.[86] In a January 2025 interview, Biden reasserted his belief that he would have won the 2024 election, but added that he doubted if he would have had the vigor to complete four more years in the White House.[87]The Wall Street Journal reported later that month that Biden's claims had caused a rift between him and Harris.[88] In his first major interview since leaving office, given toBBC News in May 2025, Biden stated that he doesn't think withdrawing earlier would’ve helped Democrats beat Trump.[89]
Former presidentsBill Clinton andBarack Obama praised Biden's work as president, with Obama writing that "Joe Biden has been one of America's most consequential presidents" and that Biden "wouldn't make this decision unless he believed it was right for America".[90] Many Democrats praised Biden's decision as "selfless", such as South Carolina CongressmanJim Clyburn, Obama advisorDavid Axelrod, and Ohio CongressmanGreg Landsman, with Senate Majority LeaderChuck Schumer writing that Biden "once again put his country, his party, and our future first" over himself.[91] Former Secretary of State and presidential candidateHillary Clinton did the same and endorsed Harris.[92]
_(cropped).jpg)
Following the announcement of Biden's withdrawal, Trump released a statement onTruth Social, his social media platform, arguing that his former opponent "was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve", calling him "the worst president, by far, in the history of our nation".[93] Trump'sre-election campaign had prepared opposition research dossiers on Kamala Harris andPennsylvania governorJosh Shapiro, who were viewed as a potential replacement ticket for Biden should he withdraw. The campaign intended to release messaging critical of Harris at the2024 Republican National Convention, but ultimately decided against it.[94]
Trump complained about Biden's withdrawal in a July 21 Truth Social post and requested that the Republican Party should be reimbursed for the money they spent campaigning against Biden.[95] Trump also compared the Democratic Party's support of replacing Biden to a "coup".[96] Trump's language of "coup" was widely imitated by other Republican politicians and strategists[97] and in an op-ed byJosh Hammer, a senior editor ofNewsweek.[98]
Australia: Prime MinisterAnthony Albanese praised Biden, saying he "has presided over an economy that has seen jobs grow, that has seen wages increase, and that has seen the transition proceed that is occurring as the world moves towards net zero. As well as he's standing up on issues such asgender equality. President Biden has been a great friend of Australia and that will continue",[99] also stating that the "Australia–US Alliance has never been stronger with our shared commitment to democratic values, international security, economic prosperity and climate action for this and future generations".[100]
Brazil: PresidentLuiz Inácio Lula da Silva said of Biden, "Only he could decide whether or not he would be a candidate" and "...Brazil's relationship will be with whoever is elected".[101]
Canada: Prime MinisterJustin Trudeau said: "I've known President Biden for years. He's a great man, and everything he does is guided by his love for his country. As President, he is a partner to Canadians—and a true friend. To President Biden and the First Lady: thank you".[102][103]
China: At a regular press briefing on July 22, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokespersonMao Ning declined to comment, and said the "presidential election is an internal affair of the United States".[104][105]
Czech Republic: Prime MinisterPetr Fiala stated: "It is undoubtedly the decision of a statesman who has served his country for decades. It is a responsible and personally difficult step, but it is all the more valuable. I am keeping my fingers crossed for the USA that a good president emerges from the democratic competition of two strong and equal candidates".[99][100]
France: In a letter, PresidentEmmanuel Macron praised Biden's "courage, spirit of responsibility and sense of duty that led [him] to this decision".[106][107]
Germany: ChancellorOlaf Scholz posted a statement onTwitter, stating "Joe Biden has achieved a great deal: for his country, for Europe, for the world... Thanks to him, transatlantic cooperation is close,NATO is strong and the USA is a good and reliable partner for us. His decision not to run again deserves recognition".[99][100]
Ireland: In a statement,TaoiseachSimon Harris issued thanks to Biden, saying: "On behalf of the people and government of Ireland. I ... would like to thank you Mr President for your global leadership and your friendship as you make your announcement that you will not stand in the 2024 US Presidential election... Joe Biden, in all the offices he has held, has always been an unwavering voice and passionate worker for peace on the island of Ireland and our country owes him a great debt for this".[99]TánaisteMicheál Martin said he heard of Biden's decision "with both sadness and admiration... This has no doubt been the toughest of calls, but one done, as ever, with dignity & class. I know that the people of Ireland will wish President Biden the very best".[100]
Israel: PresidentIsaac Herzog thanked Biden "for his friendship and steadfast support for the Israeli people over his decades long career",[108] in a statement on social media,[109] continuing: "As the first US President to visit Israel in wartime, as a recipient of the IsraeliPresidential Medal of Honor, and as a true ally of the Jewish people, he is a symbol of the unbreakable bond between our two peoples".[100][103] Defense MinisterYoav Gallant said: "Thank you President Joe Biden, for your unwavering support of Israel over the years. Your steadfast backing, especially during the war, has been invaluable. We are grateful for your leadership and friendship".[99]
Japan: Prime MinisterFumio Kishida said that Biden made the best political decision and that, "Needless to say, the Japan–U.S. alliance is the pillar of Japan's diplomacy and security, so we'll closely watch the future developments".[99]
Mexico: PresidentAndrés Manuel López Obrador described Biden as a "good leader" with "very good results". He added: "Politically, he makes the decision not to participate in reelection, that is up to those who are members of the Democratic Party to decide, we are going to continue seeking to maintain a good relationship with the United States government".[110]
New Zealand: Prime MinisterChristopher Luxon stated: "President Biden has dedicated his life to public service, and that is something that deserves much respect. I thank the President for his leadership of the United States and his commitment to New Zealand. And I look forward to working with him for the remainder of his presidency".[99][100]
Norway: Prime MinisterJonas Gahr Støre toldReuters: "I respect President Joe Biden's decision not to run for re-election. He justifies the decision by saying that he wants to put the country before himself. That reasoning commands respect... Joe Biden has been one of America's most prominent politicians over several decades, and a president who has carried out several important reforms. I particularly commend him for his leadership in NATO and look forward to working with Biden as the president of the United States until the end of January".[99]
Philippines: PresidentBongbong Marcos described Biden's withdrawal as "a demonstration of genuine statesmanship" and thanked him for his "constant and unwavering support for the Philippines in a delicate and difficult time".[111]
Poland: Prime MinisterDonald Tusk said on X: "Mr. President @JoeBiden, many times you have made difficult decisions that have made Poland, America, and the world safer, and democracy and freedom stronger. I know that you were guided by the same principles when announcing your latest decision. Perhaps the most difficult one in your life".[99]
Russia:Kremlin spokespersonDmitry Peskov stated that Russia was more focused on its goals in the ongoinginvasion of Ukraine than the results of the election.[99][102]
Spain: Prime MinisterPedro Sánchez on X stated: "All my admiration and recognition for the brave and dignified decision of the president @JoeBiden. Thanks to its determination and leadership, the US overcame the economic crisis after the pandemic and the serious assault on the Capitol and has been exemplary in its support for Ukraine in the face ofPutin's Russian aggression. A great gesture from a great president who has always fought for democracy and freedom".[99]
Ukraine: PresidentVolodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude on behalf of Ukraine for Biden's "unwavering support for Ukraine's fight for freedom", and that "[m]any 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."[112][102]
United Kingdom: Prime Minister SirKeir Starmer published a statement on Twitter, saying that he respects Biden's decision to drop out, and looks forward to working with him during the remainder of his presidency.[113] Leader of the Opposition and former Prime MinisterRishi Sunak also remarked on Biden's accomplishments and wished him well.[114]
Venezuela: PresidentNicolás Maduro said at a campaign event that Biden "made the most sensible and correct decision ... He prioritized his family and his health. He realized that at that age and with weakened health he could not assume the reins of his country, let alone a presidential candidacy".[99]
.jpg)
Biden's withdrawal was very similar toLyndon B. Johnson’s withdrawal from the 1968 presidential election 56 years earlier. Johnson in1964 and Biden in 2020 had won convincing victories, but their approval ratings declined over the course of their presidencies.Biden had age and health concerns during his presidency, and withdrew after the2024 Joe Biden–Donald Trump presidential debate.[115]
In both cases, their vice presidents—Hubert Humphrey andKamala Harris, lost to a former losing Republican presidential nominee—Richard Nixon andDonald Trump, who successfully won the presidential election.[116] Humphrey lost the popular vote by 0.7% in1968, and Harris lost the popular vote by 1.5% in2024. Coincidentally, the Democratic National Conventions in both years were held in Chicago, and the presidential elections of 1968 and 2024 took place on November 5.[117] The one main difference was that there was no major third-party candidate in 2024, unlikeGeorge Wallace in 1968.[118]
In the real world, my girlfriend asked me, 'Is it Joever'?
The president's withdrawal under pressure from fellow Democrats cleared the way for a new nominee to take on former President Donald J. Trump in the fall. He quickly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris.
Former president Donald Trump and his allies spent years building up to a 2024 election effort centered on Biden. Now they have to recalibrate.
The former president urged attendees at a faith-themed event to vote, promising that in four years, 'we'll have it fixed so good you're not going to have to vote.'
.jpg)
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
| |||||||
| Life and politics | |||||||
| Elections |
| ||||||
| Bibliography | |||||||
| Public image | |||||||
| Family |
| ||||||
