WASHINGTON—President Joe Biden addressed the nation from the Oval Office on July 24 to explain why he chose to withdraw from the 2024 presidential election, following his announcement on July 21.
“It’s been the honor of my life to serve as your president, but in the defense of democracy, which is at stake, I think it’s more important than any title,” he said, in a televised address from behind the Resolute Desk.
“I draw strength and I find joy in working for the American people, but this sacred task of perfecting our union is not about me. It’s about you, your families, your futures. It’s about we, the people.
“So I’ve decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation.
“That’s the best way to unite our nation. You know, there is a time and a place for long years of experience in public life. There’s also a time and a place for new voices, fresh voices, yes, younger voices. And that time and place is now.”
The president reversed his position after weeks of assuring the public that he would remain the Democratic nominee despite mounting pressure from some elected Democrats who had come to believe that he would not win reelection.
In a statement on July 21, President Biden announced that “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.”
The highly anticipated appearance occurred after days of speculation about the president’s health following his testing positive for COVID-19 on July 17 and subsequent retreat to his Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, home to recover.
During a news briefing on July 24, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre addressed rumors that President Biden’s resignation from the race was because of health reasons.
“First of all, there’s been no cover-up; want to be very clear about that,” she said. “It is not about his health. ... That’s not the reason.”
According to Ms. Jean-Pierre, President Biden met with a small group of advisers and family members on July 20 and made his final decision the following day.
Earlier this month, during a July 8 interview on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” President Biden voiced his frustration toward those who urged him to step aside, particularly party elites, pundits, and donors.
On July 17, in an interview on BET News, he said he would reconsider his decision to run only if doctors warned him of a serious medical condition. White House staff consistently rejected rumors of his withdrawal, with one staff member saying on social media platform X: “Incorrect. Keep the faith.”
While recovering from COVID-19 at his Delaware home last week, President Biden issued a statement saying that he “looked forward to getting back on the campaign trail.”
This was the president’s fourth Oval Office address since taking office, and it occurred 10 days after he spoke to the nation on the need to “lower the temperature” in politics following the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump.
“It has been the privilege of my life to serve this nation for over 50 years,” President Biden said before concluding his 11-minute address. “Nowhere else on earth could a kid with a stutter from modest beginnings in Scranton, Pennsylvania, [and] Claymont, Delaware, one day sit behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office as president of the United States. Here I am. That’s what’s so special about America.”
Several members of his family, including First Lady Jill Biden, his son Hunter Biden, his daughter Ashley Biden, and granddaughters Finnegan, Naomi, and Maisy Biden, watched his remarks in the Oval Office.
“I revere this office,” the president said during his speech, “but I love my country more.”
After his speech, the assembled family and staff broke into applause, according to the White House pool report. Jill Biden then walked to the Resolute Desk and stood by her husband.
“This has been the honor of a lifetime,” the president told his family and staffers watching the speech from the Oval Office.
