Joe Biden endorses Kamala Harris for Democratic nomination after dropping out of Presidential race
JOE Biden has endorsed Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination after dropping out of the Presidential race.
In a letter posted to his social media account, 81-year-old Biden said it had been the greatest honour of his life to serve as president.
But he added that it is "in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down".
And in a second statement on social media, he endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democrat presidential candidate.
Biden said: "My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term.
"My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And it's been the best decision I've made.
"Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year.
"Democrats - it's time to come together and beat Trump. Let's do this."
Biden bowed out after weeks of pressure that began with a disastrous debate performance that raised fears over his health.
The stunning move makes Biden the first president in US history to pull out so late in an election race.
He is also the first to bow out because of concerns over his mental acuity and health.
Writing on his Truth Social platform, former US president Donald Trump, who is standing for the Republican Party, said: "Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve - And never was!"
He added: "We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly.
"MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"
BIDEN BOWS OUT
In a statement posted on X at 1.47pm on Sunday, Biden said he was ending his campaign for the good of the Democratic Party.
"Over the past three and a half years, we have made great progress as a Nation," Biden said, addressing the American public.
JOE BIDEN'S STATEMENT IN FULL
US President Joe Biden has announced that he is no longer seeking re-election.
Here is his statement in full:
"My Fellow Americans, over the past three-and-a-half years, we have made great progress as a nation.
"Today, America has the strongest economy in the world. We've made historic investments in rebuilding our nation, in lowering prescription drug costs for seniors, and in expanding affordable health care to a record number of Americans.
"We've provided critically needed care to a million veterans exposed to toxic substances. Passed the first gun safety law in 30 years. Appointed the first African American woman to the Supreme Court. And passed the most significant climate legislation in the history of the world.
"America has never been better positioned to lead than we are today.
"I know none of this could have been done without you, the American people. Together, we overcame a once in a century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. We've protected and preserved our democracy. And we've revitalised and strengthened our alliances around the world.
"It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. 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 and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.
"I will speak to the nation later this week in more detail about my decision.
"For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me re-elected.
"I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work. And let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me.
"I believe today what I always have: that there is nothing America can't do - when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America."
"Today, America has the strongest economy in the world. We've made history investments in rebuilding our Nation, in lowering prescription drug costs for seniors, and in expanding affordable health care to a record number of Americans.
"We've provided critically needed care to a million veterans exposed to toxic substances.
"Passed the first gun safety law in 30 years. Appointed the first African American woman to the Supreme Court. And passed the most significant climate legislation in the history of the world.
"America has never been better positioned to lead than we are today."
Biden continued, "I know none of this could have been done without you, the American people. Together, we overcame a once-in-a-century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.
"We've protected and preserved our Democracy. And we've revitalized and strengthened our alliances around the world.
"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 focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term."
President Biden said he plans on speaking to the country further about his decision later this week.
"For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me reelected. I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work.
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"And let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me.
"I believe today what I always have: that there is nothing America can't do — when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America."
