In a historic reversal, President Joe Biden announced on July 21 that he would not seek reelection, succumbing to weeks of pressure from Democrats eager to improve their chances of preventing Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
Biden, 81, endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, 59, to become the Democratic nominee, less than four months before Election Day and just weeks before the party’s nominating convention in Chicago.
“While I have intended to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as president for the remainder of my term,” Biden stated on X. He urged unity against Trump, saying, “It’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this.”
Biden’s decision follows increasing doubts about his capacity to beat Trump and serve another term, especially after a poor debate performance in late June and a positive COVID-19 test last week that kept him off the campaign trail. His withdrawal was praised by supporters like the UAW, which lauded him for prioritizing the country over personal ambition.
Trump, whose lead in the polls is growing, was quick to assert that Harris would be easier to defeat. He named Ohio Senator JD Vance as his running mate at the Milwaukee convention and is leveraging Biden’s exit to bolster his campaign fundraising.
Democrats now hope Harris, the first woman, Black, and Asian vice president, can revive their electoral prospects. Polls indicate she may perform better against Trump than Biden. However, given her early exit from the 2020 presidential race, Harris faces internal party challenges and skepticism about her ability to lead the ticket.
The UAW, led by President Shawn Fain, strongly supported Harris, highlighting her solidarity with auto workers. The union contrasted her track record with Trump’s, criticizing his lack of action when GM closed the Lordstown plant in 2019.
With Biden’s withdrawal, the stakes for the upcoming election are higher than ever as Democrats strive to maintain control of Congress and the White House against a resurgent Trump campaign.
