US President Joe Biden informed Americans in a historic Oval Office speech that he was leaving the 2024 race to unite the country and deliver the torch to “younger voices.”
“I revere this office. But I love my country more,” the 81-year-old said in an elegiac prime-time address to the nation urging his divided country to embrace democracy and shun hatred.
“The defense of democracy, which is at stake, is more important than any title,” Biden said.
“I have decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation. That is the best way to unite our nation.”
In his first televised address since his stunning decision, Biden also hailed his Vice President Kamala Harris, 59, who is set to be the new Democratic presidential nominee.
“She’s experienced. She’s tough. She’s capable,” Biden said in just the fourth address of his presidency from behind the Resolute Desk – and likely his last.
Biden dropped out of the campaign later than any other president in US history, succumbing to weeks of Democratic pressure following a catastrophic debate performance against Donald Trump that prompted worries about his age.
Speaking quietly after a Covid infection, Biden utilized the hugely symbolic setting to emphasize his accomplishments while conceding it was time to move forward.
He said there was a “time and a place for new voices, fresh voices – yes, younger voices. And that time and place is now.”
‘Never wavered’
In a moving show of solidarity for Biden following the most difficult decision of his political career, the majority of his family sat with him in the Oval Office as he spoke.
They included Biden’s wife Jill and daughter Ashley, who clasped hands near the end of his comments, his difficult son Hunter, and several of his grandchildren.
Jill Biden later posted a message on X praising “those who never wavered” – an apparent backhanded shot at the Democrats who demanded Biden’s resignation – and saying it was “time to put that trust in Kamala.”
Biden’s decision has upended Trump’s campaign, which had previously emphasized the president’s age and mental acuity.
Now, at 78, Trump is the oldest candidate in US history.
Trump, who had initially called for unity after surviving a July 13 assassination attempt, was not in the mood for magnanimity following Biden’s remarks.
“Crooked Joe Biden’s Oval Office speech was barely understandable, and sooo bad!” Trump said on social media.
Republicans have called for Biden’s resignation, claiming that if he is not fit to run for re-election, he is unable to serve as president.
However, Biden claimed that he was not a lame duck and that he would continue to work on the economy and critical foreign policy issues for the remainder of his term.
“Over the next six months I will be focused on doing my job as president,” he said.
‘Lunatic’
One essential ambition is to reach a Middle East peace treaty, a legacy-defining ideal pursued by several previous US presidents.
Biden, who has been increasingly critical of Israel’s military assault in Gaza, will visit Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Thursday.
But, as a reminder of how swiftly things are changing, Netanyahu will meet separately with Harris that day, as well as with Trump in Florida on Friday.
Meanwhile, the US election campaign continues apace in the absence of Biden.
In his first rally since Harris won enough delegates to become the de facto Democratic nominee, Trump attacked Harris as his “new victim.”
“She is a radical left lunatic who will destroy our country,” he said, accusing Harris of hiding Biden’s “mental unfitness.”
Earlier, the White House denied there was any “cover-up” over Biden’s condition.
Harris was also on the campaign trail Wednesday, telling a Black college sorority in Indianapolis that “I am fighting for our nation’s future.”
