In her first speech as the candidate now taking on Republican nominee Donald Trump, Vice President Kamala Harris spoke at the Democratic campaign headquarters with Joe Biden making a guest appearance through a phone call.

Joe Biden reportedly faced being forcibly removed from officeCredit: Getty - Pool

Biden's debate with Donald Trump was reportedly part of the 'elaborate, well-orchestrated' plan to oust himCredit: Getty

Kamala Harris has accepted Joe Biden's endorsement for the Democratic presidential nominationCredit: Alamy

At her speech in Wilmington, Delaware on Monday, Biden called in to express his gratitude to his campaign workers, urging them to back his VP for the Democratic nominee.

Biden also said he plans to campaign with Harris as she seeks to take over the presidency.

“I’m so proud of what you’ve all done," Biden told his campaign staff.

“I’m not going anywhere," he continued.

"I’m hoping you’ll give every bit of your heart and soul that you gave to me to Kamala," Biden said.

Kamala expressed her love for Biden and thanked him for all he has done for her and the country, saying that serving as Biden's VP has been the greatest honor of her life.

And Harris, who has reportedly received a record-breaking $81 million in donations since Biden's announcement and endorsement, also promised to take the reins of his campaign and defeat Trump in November.

"But make no mistake - this campaign is not just about us versus Donald Trump, there is more to this campaign than that," Harris made clear in her speech.

"Our campaign has always been about two different versions of what we see as the future of our country, two different visions for the future of our country," she explained.

"One focused on the future, and one focused on the past."

FORCED OUT

Biden faced being forcibly removed from office by top Democrats, according to reports.

The plan to oust Biden and halt his reelection has reportedly been in place for weeks, and part of the strategy was setting him up for failure during the train wreck presidential debate on June 27.

President Biden upended the Democratic Party when he shockingly announced the end of his reelection campaign, which reportedly caught White House officials by surprise.

Part of the "elaborate, well-orchestrated" plan by high-ranking members of the Democratic Party was allowing Biden to debate Trump, the New York Post reported, citing sources.

Biden's disastrous performance during the debate opened the floodgates of unrelenting questions about his cognitive decline and inability to serve as commander-in-chief for a second term.

"That debate was a set-up to convince Democrats that he couldn't run for president," a source told the New York Post.

As Biden attempted to instill confidence and reassurance in his ability to lead, top Democrats threatened to invoke the 25th Amendment to force him out.

The 25th Amendment allows the vice president and members of Congress to declare the president is unfit to serve and force him to step down.

'NOT ON JOE'S SIDE'

Despite Biden endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris for the nomination, Democratic delegates will strongly oppose and rally behind Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, according to the outlet.

President Biden's eldest son, Hunter, reportedly became more involved in his dad's day-to-day schedule following the June 27 debate.

"Hunter felt he [Biden] was being set up, and he was very concerned about his father. These people, these officials, were not on Joe's side," according to the New York Post.

Meanwhile, President Biden has not been spotted in public since being diagnosed with Covid-19 on July 18.

Kamala Harris gives first speech since Joe Biden dropped out of race & endorsed her - as VP candidates rush to back her

White House staffers were blindsided when they learned on X about Biden's plans to abandon his reelection campaign.

"Everyone was totally shocked. It was pretty telling that Jill Biden tweeted a heart emoji and nothing else," the source told the outlet.

It comes as:

Biden admits stepping aside is "in the best interest" of the Democratic Party
He immediately endorses Vice President Kamala Harris, who vows to "earn" the Democratic nomination
Trump slams Biden as the "worst president in history" and says Kamala will be "easier to defeat"
House Speaker Mike Johnson, GOP VP nominee JD Vance, and other GOP call on Biden to resign if he’s "not fit to run"
Expert warns Biden dropping out is bad news for Republicans
Bill and Hillary Clinton endorse Harris, but Barack Obama doesn't
Timeline reveals Biden's failed re-election bid from debate disaster to Democrat betrayals
Gavin Newsom tops the list of names floated as possible replacements for Biden

FAMILY FRICTION

Biden's brother, Frank, told ABC News that the decision "boiled down" to the president's "overall health and vitality."

"Selfishly, I will have him back to enjoy whatever time he has left," Frank told the outlet.

But, a Biden family source discredited Frank's claims, telling CBS News that the president's younger sibling "suffers from alcoholism and hasn't spoken to his brother [Joe Biden] in weeks."

The source told the outlet that Hunter's claims were "completely untrue."

What happens next as Joe Biden drops out of the 2024 race?

President Biden has finally heeded calls to drop his bid for re-election, throwing the 2024 election into chaos. He has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris but naming a new Democratic nominee won't be a simple process. Here's what's next after Biden's stunning announcement.

Biden secured nearly 4,000 delegates by winning state caucuses and primaries earlier this year. He was set to officially be named the Democratic nominee at a virtual vote ahead of the Democratic National Convention, which begins on August 19.

Democratic party rules don't allow Biden to simply pass his 3,896 delegates to Harris or another candidate.

Harris will now have to convince those nearly 4,000 delegates and 700 superdelegates to support her and name her nominee.

However, delegates are free agents who can choose to support whichever candidate they want - likely without input from voters at this stage since primaries and caucuses were already held.

All eyes are now on the previously planned virtual vote - where the Democratic party could choose a nominee before the DNC begins.

Biden's endorsement of Harris will likely sway delegates and no one has publicly challenged her as a candidate - but delegates are not required to back her. Even if the virtual vote isn't held, the party could still choose Harris or another candidate before the convention.

If Democrats don't name their nominee before the DNC, it'll be the first open and contested convention since 1968.

Since accepting Joe Biden's endorsement, Kamala Harris has raised $50 million in donations in just 24 hours.

Grassroots supporters rushed to back Harris in what Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue said was its best day so far this year.

Several of her potential rivals also got behind Harris, 59, and other Democrats have slowly backed the vice president's candidacy.