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‘Extraordinary collapse’: Harris gains support as Biden bows out
US president Joe Biden drops out of election race, endorses Kamala Harris
Donald's Trump's presidential campaign has suffered a blow as momentum builds for Kamala Harris to replace Joe Biden.
Joe Biden has abandoned his bid for a second term as the US President as momentum builds for Kamala Harris to replace him.
The 81-year-old made the bombshell announcement in a letter he posted on social media while isolating with Covid at his home in Delaware.
He said he would “speak to the nation later this week in more detail about my decision” in the letter that declined to endorse a successor.
However, in a separate social media post moments later, Biden backed Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him as the party’s candidate
“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,” he said.
In his letter, Biden said it had been “the greatest honour of my life to serve as your president”.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024
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… pic.twitter.com/x8DnvuImJV
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024
“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 the term,” he said.
Harris praised Biden’s “extraordinary leadership” and his “selfless and patriotic act” to drop out of the race.
In a statement, she said: “I am honoured to have the President’s endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination … We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win.”
At least four Democrats often mentioned as top presidential contenders - California Governor Gavin Newsom, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg - have endorsed Harris.
It comes Harris has gained some ground, with her odds improving to 2/1, according to US betting outlets.
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Huge endorsement for Harris
Endorsements have poured in for Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee following Joe Biden’s extraordinary announcement that he would step down from the race.
Throwing support behind the current US vice president were a variety of party heavyweights as well as numerous governors and other officials previously considered potential nominee rivals, but who now stand a chance of becoming her running mate.
“A lot of big dominos have fallen, including almost all of the major, potential contenders who might have challenged her. Hard to see any other outcome here than her nomination,” Democratic former White House strategist David Axelrod wrote on X, calling Harris’ sudden momentum a “shock-and-awe campaign.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom and his Pennsylvania counterpart Josh Shapiro on Sunday endorsed Harris to lead the Democratic ticket, removing themselves as possible contenders.
According to Reuters, all 50 state Democratic party chairs have endorsed Ms Harris as the party's new presidential nominee to run against Donald Trump.
Democratic committee to meet on Wednesday
The Democratic committee that will determine the rules for the party's new presidential nomination will meet on Wednesday, according to reports.
“It is now the Committee’s responsibility to implement a framework to select a new nominee, which will be open, transparent, fair, and orderly,” said co-chairs Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and longtime Democratic operative Leah Daughtry, reports CNN.
“The process presented for consideration will be comprehensive, it will be fair, and it will be expeditious.”
Pelosi's tribute to Biden
Nancy Pelosi has paid tribute to Joe Biden, sayin he "always" put America first.
"His vision, values and leadership make him one of the most consequential Presidents in American history," she wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Front pages: How the world reacted
The world's media has reacted to the stunning news of Joe Biden's decision to stand down.
The Times led with the headline 'Biden quits the race', featuring an image of a frail-looking Biden shuffling off-stage.
London's Daily Telegraph ran an opinion piece on its front page, suggesting the Democrats "were reckless and cruel in paving the way to such a disaster".
The Daily Star mocked 'Sleepy Joe', while French newspaper Liberation led with 'Bye Biden, Hi Harris'.
Trump's son ponders if Biden was threatened to step aside
Donald Trump Jr has taken to social media, speculating that the Democratic Party is run by "rich oligarchs" and questioned whether Joe Biden was threatened to step aside.
"Everything about Biden stepping down screams rich oligarchs controlling the Democratic Party," Trump's son wrote on X.
"If they cared about democracy, the Clintons and billionaire donors wouldn't pick the candidate. Vote Trump! Four more years will fix the economy and end the wars. Stand for freedom, not oligarchy."
Earlier he also wrote: "This morning, Joe Biden was running according to his campaign co-chair… What did they bribe Joe with or more likely what did they threaten him with that he would change his mind in a few short hours and just walk away? Did he even know it happened? DEMOCRACY IN ACTION LOL"
Elon Musk takes a dig at Harris
Elon Musk, who endorsed Trump last week, has taken a swipe at Kamala Harris.
The billionaire shared a 2022 video of Harris speaking to disability rights advocates, where she states that her pronouns are “she” and “her” and refers to herself as a “woman sitting at the table, wearing a blue suit”.
“Imagine 4 years of this,” Musk wrote.
Critics, however, were quick to point out that Harris was courteously providing a description to blind people in attendance.
$69.9m raised in hours for Harris
Nearly A$70 million has already been raised by Democratic fundraising organisation ActBlue from grassroots supporters in the hours after Harris launched her campaign.
“This has been the biggest fundraising day of the 2024 cycle. Small-dollar donors are fired up and ready to take on this election,” the group said in a post on X.
Celebs react to Biden's race exit
Celebrities have responded to the news of Biden dropping out from the election race and endorsing Kamala Harris.
Lil Nas X commented on Biden’s Instagram post: “Wow It’s really over.”
Star Wars actor Mark Hamill also reacted, posting: “Joe Biden has a record of accomplishments unmatched by any president in our lifetime. He restored honesty, dignity & integrity to the office after 4 years of lies, crime, scandal & chaos.”
“Joe Biden will go down in history as a man who accomplished significant achievements in his 4 year term. We should be grateful for his upholding of our democracy,” Barbra Streisand wrote.
Rapper Cardi B shared her excitement, posting on X: “AHAHAHAHA LETS GOOOOO I TOLD YALLL KAMALA WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THE 2024 candidate…..STOP F–KIN PLAYIN WITH ME !!!!!!!
Ariana Grande also showed her support for the vice president by resharing Biden’s post endorsing Harris on her Instagram Story along with a link to register to vote.
Russell Brand, who is a Trump supporter, wrote: “Joe Biden has endorsed Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination after ending re-election bid. We’re in a wild world, mate.”
Kevin Rudd pays tribute to Biden
Kevin Rudd has thanked Joe Biden for taking the "lonely" decision to step away from contesting at the next federal election and thanked the US President for growing the US-Australian relationships, Angira Bharadwaj reports.
Mr Rudd, Australia's ambassador to the US, thanked Mr Biden for his service.
"Leadership can be a lonely place. We can all take pause to recognise and respect the difficult decision President Joe Biden has made today," he said in a statement.
"Thank you for your service, Mr President, and for always being guided by what you believe is best for your country.
"The US-Australia relationship has prospered under your leadership."
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