Topline
President Joe Biden didn’t end his re-election bid because of doubts about serving another term, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Wednesday, though she side-stepped questions about why, exactly, Biden bowed out of the race, telling reporters he would detail his reasoning to the public in an Oval Office address.
President Joe Biden speaks to the press as he arrives at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on July 23, … [+]
Key Facts
Biden “absolutely” believes he’s capable of serving out the remainder of his term and another four years in office, Jean-Pierre said when prompted by a reporter, adding that suggestions from some Republicans he should resign from the presidency immediately are “ridiculous . . . he wants to finish the job that he started.”
When asked by a reporter if Biden ended his re-election bid because he doesn’t think he can beat former President Donald Trump in November, Jean-Pierre said “I’m not going to get into specific details of his thoughts” adding that Biden would explain his decision later Wednesday in his televised address.
Jean-Pierre said Biden made the historic decision “in a very short period of time” over the weekend, meeting with a “small group of advisors,” including family members Saturday night, before he let advisors know Sunday at 1:45 p.m. he would end his campaign, minutes before he publicly released a letter announcing the decision.
When Is Biden’s Speech?
Biden will address the nation at 8 p.m. EDT Wednesday from the Oval Office.
Tangent
Biden was seen for the first time Tuesday since his Sunday announcement, en route back to Washington, D.C., after spending several days at his home in Rehoboth, Delaware, recovering from COVID-19.
Key Background
Biden announced Sunday he was ending his re-election bid following a growing Democratic pressure campaign for him to step aside in the race in the wake of his abysmal June 27 debate performance against Trump. Biden wrote in a letter he believed “it is in the best interest of [his]
party and the country” to stand down in the race “and focus solely on fulfilling [his] duties as President” for the remainder of his term. In a subsequent statement, Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him on the ticket, writing “Democrats—it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this.” Harris promptly announced plans to seek the nomination, and Democratic delegates plan to vote Aug. 1 to formalize her as the nominee.
Further Reading
Trump Vs. Harris 2024 Polls: Trump Narrowly Leads In Most Polls After Biden Drops Out (Forbes)
Harris Praises Biden In First Speech Since Launching Presidential Run (Forbes)
Biden Drops Out Of 2024 Race—Here’s What Happens Next (Forbes)
2022 midterms, 2024 presidential campaign, the January 6 House committee investigation, former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s historic ouster, the 2023 State of the Union Address, former President Donald Trump’s federal election interference and classified documents cases and his Manhattan hush money case. Dorn graduated in 2012 from the University of Dayton with a degree in journalism. Prior to joining Forbes, she covered New York City and state politics for the New York Post and City and State magazine. Follow her for updates and analysis on the 2024 presidential race, key Senate and House races and developments in Congress and at the White House.
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