Joe Biden speaks for first time since dropping out of presidential race
Joe Biden’s surprise call a day after dropping out of the 2024 presidential race has been labelled ‘fake’ after an apparent slip-up by Kamala Harris.
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Speculation is mounting that Joe Biden’s surprise phone call was prerecorded after an apparent slip-up by Vice President Kamala Harris left more questions than answers.
At some point in the exchange between the two, Harris can be heard saying: ” “It is so good to hear our President’s voice. Joe, I know you’re still on the rec …”
Harris quickly corrects herself to say: “On the call.”
The slip of the tongue comes amid increasing pressure for Biden to “proof of life” after the president failed to appear publicly since dropping out of the 2024 presidential election.
“Does Kamala just stop short of saying “recording” instead of call?” asked Twitter/X user Libby Emmons.
Does Kamala just stop short of saying "recording" instead of call?
— Libby Emmons (@libbyemmons) July 22, 2024
"Joe, I know you're still on the rec— call..."
pic.twitter.com/5evMqTvN1G
“Was it a recording? Was it live” added Shawn Farash.
Joe Biden reportedly "called in" to Kamala's event today in Delaware... Except Kamala slipped up and said the following:
— Shawn Farash (@Shawn_Farash) July 23, 2024
“ Joe I know you’re still on the rec-- on the callâ€
Was it a recording? Was it live?
WHERE IS JOE BIDEN?!
pic.twitter.com/JwHOfYK2e5
Kamala “Joe I know you’re still on the rec… on the callâ€
— Alex Armstrong (@alexharmstrong) July 22, 2024
We all know she meant he was “recordingâ€.
What is going on with the President of the United States?
pic.twitter.com/vp7ZfPUMgF
After ending his re-election campaign on Sunday, Biden cancelled his planned week of political travel that would have included meeting Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Bide also cancelled a scheduled to visit Texas on Wednesday and three fundraisers in California and Colorado, according to The Washington Post.
US Congress members questioned who was running the country after Mr Biden, not seen in almost a week since isolating with Covid, announced his decision without a requisite photograph or video to mark the historic occasion.
US representative Marjorie Taylor Greene said Harris “spilled the beans”.
“Was it a recording? That’s what she started to say,’ Greene said.
Responding to the “very strange” clip posted by activist Charlie Kirk, Congresswoman Lauren Boebert asked: “Where is Joe?”
Reports suggest Biden will make a speech to discuss his decision to drop out of the 2024 election on Wednesday, local time, a full week after he was last seen in-person.
MUMBLING BIDEN CALLS HARRIS
Joe Biden has spoken for the first time since announcing he was dropping out of the US presidential race as his official schedule notes he is to return to the White House within hours.
The 81-year-old is expected to leave his beach home in Delaware where he has been recovering from Covid on Tuesday afternoon Washington DC time and arrive at the White House at 2.30pm (4.30am AEST on Wednesday), according to the schedule.
Mr Biden phoned into Vice President Kamala Harris’s election campaign launch on Tuesday AEST in Delaware where he spoke with a hoarse voice.
The US President, who is recovering from Covid at his home in Delaware, said he knows his decision to drop out of the presidential race would have come as a surprise but believes it was the right thing to do.
“I want people to remember that what we have done has been incredible and we [have] so much more we’re gonna get done,” he said, appearing to slur his words.
“I know yesterday’s news is surprising, and so hard for you to hear, but it was the right thing to do … I know it’s hard because you poured your heart and soul into me to help us win this thing, helped me get this nomination, helped me win the nomination.
“But you know, you’re an amazing team, but … I think we made the right decision.”
A smiling Ms Harris then heaped praise on Mr Biden.
“It is so good to hear our president’s voice. Joe, I know you’re still on the call. And we’ve been talking every day. You probably, you guys heard it from Doug’s voice, we love Joe and Jill, we really do. They’re really like family to us,” Ms Harris said.
Mr Biden responded: “It’s mutual”.
“I know you were still there! You’re not going anywhere,” Ms Harris said in return.
Mr Biden added: “I’m watching you, kid. I love you”
Ms Harris returned the love by saying: “I love you, Joe”.
Ms Harris told campaign staff “its been a rollercoaster and we’re all filled with so many mixed emotions about this.”
She then heaped praise on Mr Biden: “I just have to say I love Joe Biden. I love Joe Biden and I know we all do and we have so many darn good reasons for loving Joe Biden. And I have full faith that this team will be the reason we win in November.”
She added: “And so we have 106 days until Election Day and in that time we have some hard work to do.”
Turning her fire on Mr Trump, Ms Harris referred to her past role as California’s chief prosecutor, saying she “took on perpetrators of all kinds.”
“Predators who abused women. Fraudsters who ripped off consumers. Cheaters who broke the rules for their own gain. So hear me when I say I know Donald Trump’s type,” she said to applause.
It comes as Frank Biden raised eyebrows saying his brother’s health “absolutely” played a role in the decision not to seek re-election, and that dropping out would allow the family to “enjoy whatever time we have left” with the president
“I demand proof of life from Joe Biden today,” said Congresswoman Lauren Boebert.
“He needs to get in front of some camera and discuss if he’s aware that he dropped out. Hiding is completely unacceptable.”
Congressman Chip Roy posted an image of the president’s empty schedule for the week ahead, asking “where’s Joe” and questioning who was running the country.
The sentiment snowballed as more than 24 hours passed without a public appearance since Mr Biden dropped out of the election, with billionaire Bill Ackman, actor James Woods and more joining the mounting calls for a “proof of life”.
As unanswered questions remain about what happens next, here’s what we still don’t know.
Where is Joe Biden now?
The last time Joe Biden was seen in public was on 17 July, shakily stepping off Air Force One in Delaware after his Covid diagnosis.
He has not appeared in public since, and had been reportedly recovering in isolation.
He announced that he would be dropping out of the presidential race via a letter posted to social media platform X, rather than holding a press conference – in person or televised.
Biden is due to meet with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday at the White House.
What finally changed Biden’s mind?
Two main reasons have come to the fore, pushing Mr Biden to make a decision: the latest disastrous polling data, and pressure from former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi who was organising a behind the scenes campaign to convince Biden to step aside as soon as possible for the good of the party, according to multiple sources.
Will Biden step down as President?
Democrats have not suggested Mr Biden leave office, just not seek re-election, but continue his term. The terms of the President and the Vice President end at noon on the 20th day of January, 2025.
Leading Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, have called on Mr Biden to “resign the office immediately.”
“If Joe Biden is not fit to run for President, he is not fit to serve as President,” Mr Johnson said in a statement.
US representative for Texas, Pat Fallon added on X, “If Biden doesn’t think he’s capable of serving as Commander in Chief for another 4 years, what reason do we have to believe he can do the job for the next 4 months?”
What happens to the money donated so far?
In the hours after Mr Biden’s withdrawal, Democrats donated US$46.7 million through ActBlue as of 9pm local time, the largest site that processes Democratic donations. It’s the biggest single day of Democratic donations since the 2020 election.
It appears the campaign will be reset and the funds will go to the incoming presidential candidate’s campaign.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton posted a fundraising appeal for Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign on Monday, urging supporters to “become a part of this historic campaign today.”
Is Kamala the official pick and will she choose a running mate?
While Mr Biden and other key Democrats have endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as presidential candidate, she doesn’t automatically replace Mr Biden.
Democrats are expected to officially choose a presidential candidate, along with a running mate, during the Democratic National Convention, 19-22 August.
Former President Barack Obama didn’t endorse Ms Harris, saying Democrats would pick an unnamed “outstanding nominee” in his first statement on Mr Biden stepping aside from the party’s ticket.
Mr Obama, 62, was joined by former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in not immediately backing Ms Harris, 59, following reports that both preferred an “open” process to replace Biden.
Ms Pelosi made her official endorsement of the VP on Monday afternoon.
If Ms Harris is selected by Democrats and unifies the party behind her she could pick a running mate at or after the DNC.
An AP survey of Democratic delegates released on Monday found early signs that Ms Harris is consolidating support for the presidential nomination.
Only Ms Harris has said she will run for president so far, and she hasn’t publicly stated who she would consider as a running mate. However, any number of Democrats could potentially throw their hats in the ring.
When would any Democrats have to announce their candidacy?
Whether it’s Ms Harris or another contender, the official decision is determined by the party’s delegates, most likely at the DNC in Chicago next month.
Will Trump debate a new Dems candidate?
Just hours after Mr Biden dropped out and endorsed Ms Harris, Mr Trump posted on Truth Social that he thinks the next presidential debate should be hosted by Fox News. The date for the second head to head debate between presidential candidates was slated for 10 September.
How will Biden’s decision affect US and global markets?
The US dollar fell on Monday as Mr Biden’s decision to drop out of the US presidential race fuelled fresh uncertainty and volatility in the markets.
Main equity indices in Tokyo, Shanghai and Sydney closed lower, though Hong Kong rallied thanks to healthy gains in Chinese tech firms.
Europe’s major stock markets rose strongly, led by Paris and Frankfurt which each recorded gains of nearly 1.5 per cent approaching the halfway mark.
“Market instinct will be to say that the news adds a degree of uncertainty to the outcome of the 5 November election that wasn’t present last week,” noted National Australia Bank analyst Ray Attrill. However, “it will be many weeks … before anyone can reasonably determine if the race for the White House is significantly narrower than looked to be case”.
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