FILE – President Joe Biden walks down the steps of Air Force One July 17 at Dover AFB in Delaware. Biden dropped out of the 2024 Presidential race Sunday, July 21, and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to become the Democratic Party’s nominee for President. (AP Photo)
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race for the White House on Sunday, ending his bid for reelection following a disastrous debate with Donald Trump that raised doubts about his fitness for office just four months before the election.
The decision comes after escalating pressure from Biden’s Democratic allies to step aside following the June 27 debate, in which the 81-year-old president trailed off and often gave nonsensical answers.
Biden plans to serve out the remainder of his term in office, which ends at noon on Jan. 20, 2025.
“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,” Biden wrote in a letter posted to his X account.
Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris via social media to be nominated as the Democratic candidate for President.