President Joe Biden did not end his reelection bid due to health concerns, according to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
The president will state his reasons for ending the campaign in a televised address at 8 p.m. on July 24.
The highly anticipated appearance will occur after days of speculation about the president’s health following his testing positive for COVID-19 on July 19 and subsequent retreat to his Rehoboth Beach house in Delaware to recover.
There, after consulting with family and close advisers, the president reversed his position after weeks of assuring the public that he would remain the Democratic candidate despite rising pressure from elected Democrats who had come to believe he would not win reelection.
Not Health Related
The president’s reversal, combined with his seemingly frail appearance following his COVID diagnosis, fueled rumors that declining health may have forced him from the race.Ms. Jean-Pierre addressed that rumor in her remarks. “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.
The president did not state a reason for the decision, saying only that it was made in the best interest of the party and of the country.
The announcement ended more than three weeks of intense speculation regarding his candidacy.
During a televised debate with former President Donald Trump on June 27, President Biden at times appeared to misspeak and leave sentences unfinished. The debate performance prompted a number of Democratic donors, lawmakers, and celebrities to call on President Biden to end his campaign.
The president responded with his intent to stay in the race.
In a July 5 interview with ABC News, President Biden joked that he would only consider dropping out if “the Lord Almighty” were to come down and tell him that he cannot beat former President Donald Trump.
Earlier this month, during a July 8 interview on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” he 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.”
Even while recovering from COVID-19 at his Delaware house last week, President Biden issued a statement saying that he “looked forward to getting back on the campaign trail.”
That determination apparently dissipated over the course of a few days, coinciding with the COVID-19 diagnosis.
President Biden endorsed his former running mate, Vice President Kamala Harris, as part of his withdrawal statement.
“Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year,” he wrote.
President Biden, 81, has stated that he intends to finish his term, which will complete a 52-year career in public service that began with his election to the U.S. Senate in 1972 at the age of 29.
“The president has no regrets, has no regrets,” Ms. Jean-Pierre said.
