Biden Ends Re-Election Bid, Calls It ‘Greatest Honour’ to Serve as President

In a surprising move, US President Joe Biden has announced he will not seek re-election, stating it is “in the best interest of my party and the country.” This decision comes four months before the upcoming presidential election, dramatically altering the race for the White House.

Biden’s decision follows weeks of mounting pressure from fellow Democrats, especially after a lackluster debate performance against Republican candidate Donald Trump in late June. The President faced criticism during the debate for appearing incoherent and speaking with a weak voice, which his party attributed to a cold.

In his Sunday evening announcement, Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the presidency. He praised Harris, saying his choice to select her as his running mate in 2020 was “the best decision I’ve made.” Harris responded by pledging to “unite the Democratic Party and our nation to defeat Donald Trump.”

Biden shared his resignation news in a letter on social media, calling it the greatest honour of his life to serve as president. He emphasized his commitment to focus on fulfilling his duties for the remainder of his term. “And while it has been my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down,” he wrote.

The President thanked Vice President Harris, calling her an “extraordinary partner,” and expressed gratitude to the American people for their faith and trust. He reaffirmed his belief in America’s potential, saying, “There is nothing America can’t do – when we do it together.”

Biden plans to address the nation on this matter next week. Despite his recent Covid-19 diagnosis, he had expressed eagerness to return to the campaign trail. Biden had previously declared only a serious health condition would make him withdraw from the race, highlighting the significance of his recent decision.

Republican nominee Donald Trump reacted to Biden’s announcement on his Truth Social platform, claiming Biden was “not fit to run for president.”