US President Joe Biden has announced his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as his preferred candidate for the party's nomination.
"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 the duties as President for the remainder of my term," Biden said in a statement on Sunday on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
While recovering from Covid-19 at his beach house in Delaware, Biden stated that he will provide a more detailed address to the nation later in the week.
The announcement follows mounting pressure from fellow Democrats, urging him to step aside and enable the party to nominate a new candidate to challenge Republican nominee Donald Trump in the upcoming election.
Biden's endorsement of Harris was clear in a separate post on X, where he said, "Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year."
The uncertainty now lies in who will emerge as the Democratic candidate for the 2024 election. Biden's withdrawal from the race, occurring less than four months before Election Day, presents considerable challenges for the Democratic Party as they work to establish a new presidential ticket.
The new Democratic candidate will face off against Donald Trump and Senator JD Vance in the Republican ticket and must garner support from financial backers, party delegates, and those who previously supported Biden, all while showcasing their ability to effectively lead the country.
Numerous prominent Democrats have recently voiced their desire for a new nominee, reflecting concerns about Biden's age and performance. Despite being only three years older than Trump, Biden's debate performances raised doubts about his readiness for another term, with observers noting his rigid posture and unclear responses during critical moments.
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