Passing Torch To Next Generation": Joe Biden On Exiting US President Race
America's an idea, an idea stronger than any army, bigger than any ocean, more powerful than any dictator or tyrant," he said, warning that democracy is at stake in the November election.
US President Joe Biden told Americans Wednesday that he had dropped out of the 2024 election to unite his party and his country, saying in a historic Oval Office speech that it was time to pass the torch to "younger voices."
In his first televised address since his stunning decision, the 81-year-old hailed his "tough" and "capable" Vice President Kamala Harris, 59, who is set to be the new Democratic presidential nominee.
"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."
Biden bowed out of the race later than any other president in US history on Sunday, giving in to weeks of pressure from Democrats after a disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump raised concerns about his age and mental acuity.
Biden used the symbolic setting of the Resolution Desk in his speech, calling for an end to division in U.S. politics. He said the country is stronger than "any dictator or tyrant."
The veteran Democrat said, "There's a time and a place for new voices, fresh voices. Yes, young voices. And that time and place is now."
"I never wavered."
In a poignant show of support for Biden as he makes the most difficult decision of his political life, most of his family sat in the Oval Office to watch Biden speak.
Among them were his wife, Jill, and daughter Ashley, who held his hand near the end of his remarks, Biden's embattled son Hunter, and several of Biden's grandchildren.
Jill Biden then posted a letter to
Biden's withdrawal marked a turn of events for the Trump campaign, which had previously focused on the president's age and mental acuity. Now, at 78, Trump is the oldest candidate in U.S. history.
After surviving an assassination attempt on July 13, President Trump initially called for unity, but after Biden's speech, he showed no mercy.
"Joe Biden's fraudulent speech in the Oval Office was almost incomprehensible and extremely bad!" Trump said on social media.
Republicans called for Biden to resign completely, saying that if he is not fit to run for reelection, he is unfit to serve as president.
However, Biden stressed that he is not a "lame duck" and will continue to work on the economy and important foreign policy issues for the remainder of his term.
"For the next six months, I will be focused on my job as president," he said.
"Madman"
A key objective is a Middle East peace agreement, a landmark dream pursued by many U.S. presidents before Biden.
Biden, who has stepped up his criticism of Israel's military operations in the Gaza Strip, will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Thursday.
But in a sign of how quickly things are changing, Netanyahu will also sit separately from Harris that day and is due to meet with Trump in Florida on Friday.
The U.S. election campaign is in full swing without Biden.
At his first rally since Harris won enough delegates to become the de facto Democratic nominee, Trump called her "another victim."
"She's a far-left madman who's destroying our country," he said, and accused Harris of covering up Biden's "mental unfitness."
The White House had previously denied there was a "cover-up" about Biden's condition.
