Joe Biden Delivers Historic Address on His Decision to Exit 2024 Election: 'Best Way Forward Is to Pass the Torch'

07/24/2024 08:35 PM

"America is at an inflection point," Biden, 81, said in his primetime remarks. "America is going to have to choose between moving forward or backward"

President Joe Biden offered his first televised comments about his decision to suspend his reelection campaign in a primetime address delivered on Wednesday, July 24.

Sitting at the historic Resolute Desk in the Oval Office of the White House, Biden, 81, used his remarks to affirm that he plans to remain in office until his term ends in January, saying, "over the next six months, I will continue to focus on doing my job as president."

The president also elaborated on his decision to end his 2024 campaign — which he first announced in a statement issued on Sunday, July 21.

"This sacred task of protecting our Union is not about me," he said. "It's about you. Your families. Your futures."

Biden alluded to recent concerns over his age — which were amplified in the wake of his performance during the first 2024 presidential debate against former President Donald Trump — and highlighted his endorsement of his vice president, Kamala Harris, who is 22 years his junior.

Speaking of Harris, 59, he said, "I decided that the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation . . . It's the best way to unite our nation. There is a time and place for new voices, fresh voices, yes, younger voices, and that time and place is now."

Harris, he added, is "experienced, she's tough, she's capable . . . she's been an incredible partner to me and a leader for our country."

He never spoke Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump's name, but he repeatedly addressed the stakes of the November 2024 election as he sees them.

"I've made it clear that I believe America is at an inflection point . . . America is going to have to choose between moving forward or backward," he said. "Between hope and hate. Between unity and division. Do we still believe in honestly, decency, respect, freedom, justice and democracy?

"Does character in public life still matter? I believe we know the answer to these questions, because I know you, the American people. And I know we are a great nation because we are good people.

"When you elected me to this office, I promised to always level with you, to tell you the truth . . . in recent weeks it's become clear to me that I need to unite my party . . . I believe my record as president, my leadership in the world, my vision for the future, all merited a second term. But nothing can come in the way of our democracy."

Later, he said, "We're nation of ordinary Americans doing extraordinary things . . . The great thing about America is here, kings and dictators do not rule, the people do. History is in your hands. The power is in your hands. The idea of America is in your hands. Keep the faith, and remember who we are. We're the United States of America, and there is nothing beyond our capacity if we do it together."

Speaking further, he said, "America is an idea . . . the most powerful idea in the history of the world: We hold these truths to be self evident. We're all created equal . . . we've never fully lived up to this sacred idea, but we've never walked away from it either, and I do not believe the American people will walk away from it now."

"Now the choice is up to the American people," he said. "When you make that choice, remember the words of Benjamin Franklin . . . asked whether the Founders have given Americans a monarchy or a republic, his answer was, 'a Republic, if you can keep it.' "

Related: Joe Biden Addresses Presidential Debate Performance: 'Don't Speak as Smoothly as I Used to'

In announcing he was leaving the 2024 race on July 21, Biden said, "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."

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In a follow-up statement, Biden offered his first official endorsement of Harris, saying, "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. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee for our party this year. Democrats — it's time to come together and beat Trump. Let's do this."

Related: Biden-Harris Campaign Officially Retitled 'Harris for President' After Joe Biden Exits Presidential Race

In her own statement, Harris said she was "honored to have the President's endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination."

"Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead," Harris stated. "I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party — and unite our nation — to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda."

"We have 107 days until Election Day," she concluded. "Together, we will fight. And together, we will win."

Related: Who Will Kamala Harris Pick as Her 2024 Running Mate? Possible VP Candidates to Fill Out New Democratic Ticket

Documents filed with the Federal Election Commission in the hours after the announcement reflected the change, and retitled the campaign to "Harris for President."

Harris' campaign took in more than $81 million in the 24 hours following the announcement, making it the largest 24-hour haul by any candidate in presidential history.

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