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A CRUCIAL piece of information led Joe Biden to pull out of the White House race in a shocking twist that left Democrats in shambles.
The bombshell last-minute decision to withdraw from the election was taken after polling data suggested he was falling behind.
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GettyDetails of the agonising 48 hours before the shocking announcement have emerged – and show that Biden was certain he would run for reelection, until Saturday.
Despite weeks of pressure to drop out of the Presidential race, following a series of gaffes and a disastrous debate against Donald Trump, Biden remained adamant he planned to stay in the race for the November elections.
Even on Saturday, Biden told his aides he was determined to continue his campaign to defeat Donald Trump, a source claimed.
His advisors were even putting together a campaign schedule for him upon his return to the White House next week.
The source added: “The message was ‘proceed with everything, full speed ahead'”.
But after going through polling data late on Saturday, the 81-year-old changed his mind.
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 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
On Sunday, he gathered his senior White House and campaign team and he sensationally announced he had decided to drop out at 1:45 pm – just a minute before he posted his decision on X.
Another source said the president was handed internal polling by his top aides on Saturday night – which eventually led to his bombshell decision not to run for reelection.
The data showed he was falling behind in six critical states as well as other places like Virginia and Minnesota where Democrats had not planned on needing to spend massive resources.
The 81-year-old had been recovering from Covid at his beach house in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware when he was handed the data.
After announcing his decision to his closest aides Steve Ricchetti and Mike Donilon he asked them to start drafting a letter – which he would later read to his senior White House and campaign team on a call.
One official said: “He read the letter to us and wanted us to understand his thinking.
“He said he had wrestled with it over the last 48 hours.
“This was really closely held. It came as a surprise to most White House folks.”
Moments later Biden proceeded to announce his decision to the world in an X post where 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 focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”
A source, familiar with the conversation said Biden had already spoken several times to Vice President Kamala Harris.
About half an hour later, Biden endorsed the Vice President to be the Democrat presidential candidate – who responded she was honored and intended to win the presidential nomination for the Democratic party.
Biden said: “My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term.
“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.
What happens next as Joe Biden drops out of the 2024 race?
President Biden has finally heeded calls to drop his bid for re-election, throwing the 2024 election into chaos. He has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris but naming a new Democratic nominee won't be a simple process. Here's what's next after Biden's stunning announcement.
Biden secured nearly 4,000 delegates by winning state caucuses and primaries earlier this year. He was set to officially be named the Democratic nominee at a virtual vote ahead of the Democratic National Convention, which begins on August 19.
Democratic party rules don’t allow Biden to simply pass his 3,896 delegates to Harris or another candidate.
Harris will now have to convince those nearly 4,000 delegates and 700 superdelegates to support her and name her nominee.
However, delegates are free agents who can choose to support whichever candidate they want – likely without input from voters at this stage since primaries and caucuses were already held.
All eyes are now on the previously planned virtual vote – where the Democratic party could choose a nominee before the DNC begins.
Biden’s endorsement of Harris will likely sway delegates and no one has publicly challenged her as a candidate – but delegates are not required to back her. Even if the virtual vote isn’t held, the party could still choose Harris or another candidate before the convention.
If Democrats don’t name their nominee before the DNC, it’ll be the first open and contested convention since 1968.
“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.”
Biden’s ability to run for re-election has been called into question during the past weeks amid mounting pressure from Dems urging him to step aside.
While Jill Biden reacted to her husband’s post with a heart emoji.
“Down to the last hours of the decision only he could make, she was supportive of whatever road he chose,” the first lady’s spokesperson said.
“She’s his biggest believer, champion and always on his side, in that trusted way only a spouse of almost 50 years can be.”
CLINTON’S SUPPORT
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.
The pair issued a joint statement just an hour after Biden suspended his campaign, saying they were honored to join Biden in endorsing her.
“President Biden has capped his extraordinary career of service with a Presidency that has lifted America out of an unprecedented pandemic, created millions of new jobs, rebuilt a battered economy, strengthened our democracy, and restored our standing in the world,” they said in the statement posted on X.
“We join millions of Americans in thanking President Biden for all he has accomplished, standing up for America time and again, with his North Star always being what’s best for the country. …
“We are honored to join the President in endorsing Vice President Harris and will do whatever we can to support her.”
TRUMP’S REACTION
Biden’s call comes just over a week after the attempted assassination of Trump – which bolstered the Republican nominee’s popularity and success in the polls.
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!”
Joe Biden's full letter announcing his withdrawal from campaign
On Sunday, July 21, 2024, 46th US president Joe Biden posted a letter X, formerly known as Twitter, announcing he's stepping down from the 2024 presidential race.
My Fellow Americans,
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. America has never been better positioned to lead than we are today.
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.
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.
I will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision.
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. 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
English (US)