Watch the ABC News special, “Biden Stands Down: The Race for the White House,” tonight from 7-9 p.m. ET on ABC and ABC News Live.
Just two days after announcing he was prepared to return to the campaign trail, President Joe Biden announced Sunday that he is dropping out of the race, taking members of his staff by surprise.
“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President,” Biden said in part in his statement.
Biden’s decision to withdraw from the reelection campaign came in the wake of repeated White House statements, and declarations from Biden himself, that he would remain in the race and was confident that he could defeat former President Donald Trump’s reelection bid. Yet those assurances did little to decrease the public pressure from an increasing number of his fellow Democrats for Biden to move aside in favor of a stronger candidate.
Some 48 hours after Biden, who is recovering from COVID-19, said he would return to the stump this week, the pressure from those in his own party for him to withdraw from the race continued to mount.
Not only did the list of Democratic congressional members echoing the call for Biden to withdraw grow to at least 40, staunch Biden supporters like Sen. Joe Manchin, I-W.Va., upped their public calls for the 81-year-old president to end his presidential campaign.
Just before Biden announced that he was stepping aside and endorsing his vice president, Kamala Harris, to lead his party’s ticket, Manchin went on ABC’s “This Week” and encouraged Biden “to pass the torch to a new generation.”
President Joe Biden pauses as he speaks at a news conference on the final day of the NATO summit in Washington, DC, July 11, 2024.
Jacquelyn Martin/AP
“He will go down with a legacy unlike many people, as one of the finest and truly a [patriotic] American,” Manchin said. “So, with that, I come with a heavy heart to think the time has come for him to pass the torch to a new generation.”
Biden’s decision came just eight days after Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer visited Biden in his Rehoboth, Delaware, beach home and had a heart-to-heart talk with Biden about leaving the race, sources told ABC News Chief Washington correspondent Jon Karl.
Sources further told ABC News that Biden’s own staff didn’t know Biden was stepping down until just one minute before he publicly announced his decision on Sunday, leaving some members of the president’s staff blindsided by the decision.
Vice President Harris did not say in a statement she released Sunday when she learned Biden was stepping aside, focusing instead on praising Biden’s leadership.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris join hands in the air after watching the fireworks on the National Mall from the White House balcony, July 4, 2024, in Washington.
Samuel Corum/Getty Images
“On behalf of the American people, I thank Joe Biden for his extraordinary leadership as president of the United States and for his decades of service to our country,” Harris said. “His remarkable legacy of accomplishment is unmatched in modern American history, surpassing the legacy of many presidents who have served two terms in office.”
In a letter to the nation, Biden didn’t elaborate on what thinking may have prompted his decision, saying only “And while it has been my intention to see 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’s statement also said he would speak later this week to the nation about his decision, which came came 24 days after his disastrous June debate with former President Donald Trump.
Just two days prior to Sunday’s announcement, Biden sounded as if he had no plans to withdraw from the reelection race. In a statement Friday, the president said, “I look forward to getting back on the campaign trail next week to continue exposing the threat of Donald Trump’s Project 2025 agenda while making the case for my own record and the vision that I have for America: one where we save our democracy, protect our rights and freedoms, and create opportunity for everyone.”
Biden’s youngest brother, Frank Biden, told ABC News that his brother’s subsequent decision to withdraw was a “close call” reached only after several Biden family members held several discussions over the past week, led by first lady Jill Biden, and that the family has always been supportive of the president doing whatever he thought best for the country.
“It really boils down to this: it has to do with his overall health and vitality. Not anything cognitive. But he’s a proud guy, it pisses him off that he shuffles when he walks,” Frank Biden told ABC News.
Frank Biden also said it has “been really horrible [for the family] to see the dogs let loose on him,” referring to longtime allies who in recent weeks joined the calls for Biden to drop out of the race.
“Joe has one thing uppermost in his mind. It’s not him, not his ego, not his ambition. He has really reached a place where the only thing that matters to him is the health of this nation,” Frank Biden said.
President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the reelection race came as a surprise to many, but there were several key factors that likely influenced his choice. From his age and health concerns to the political landscape and personal considerations, here are some of the reasons why President Biden may have decided not to seek a second term in office.
One of the most significant factors that likely played a role in President Biden’s decision to not run for reelection is his age. At 79 years old, he would be the oldest president ever elected to a second term if he were to run and win in 2024. This raised concerns about his ability to effectively lead the country for another four years, especially given the demanding nature of the presidency.
Health concerns may have also been a factor in President Biden’s decision. Throughout his time in office, he has faced questions about his physical and mental health, with some critics suggesting that he may not be fit to serve as president. By choosing not to run for reelection, President Biden may have been looking out for his own well-being and avoiding the stress and strain of another grueling campaign.
The political landscape also likely played a role in President Biden’s decision. With approval ratings that have fluctuated throughout his time in office and a divided Congress that has made passing legislation challenging, President Biden may have felt that he would face an uphill battle in a reelection campaign. Additionally, the rise of populist movements on both the left and right could have made it difficult for him to secure the support needed to win another term.
Personal considerations may have also influenced President Biden’s decision. Serving as president is an incredibly demanding job that requires a significant amount of time and energy. By choosing not to run for reelection, President Biden may have been looking forward to spending more time with his family and enjoying his retirement years.
Overall, President Biden’s decision to withdraw from the reelection race was likely influenced by a combination of factors, including his age, health concerns, the political landscape, and personal considerations. While his choice may have come as a surprise to many, it reflects the complex realities of serving as president and the difficult decisions that come with the job.
