America reacts to news that Joe Biden is dropping out of 2024 US election

The news that US President Joe Biden is dropping out of the 2024 US presidential election has sparked astonishing reactions.

Joe Biden threw down a bombshell mid-afternoon on Sunday (US time) as he revealed he was ending his re-election bid for the 2024 US presidential election.

His news dropped like a thunderbolt, immediately grabbing headlines around the world and sparking a huge reaction, as speculation grows about what will happen in the Democratic nomination and who will replace him.

Mr Biden said it was in the “best interest” of the Democratic Party and the country for him to drop out and endorsed current Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him in the race.

“It has been the greatest honour of my life to serve as your President,” he said.

Ms Harris was later quoted by the Biden-Harris campaign: “I am honoured to have the President’s endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination.”

Media goes into meltdown

There was a dramatic reaction live on air as the news broke on American TV.

US Senator Chris Coons was on the verge of tears and stared in the distance as he appeared on CBS News.

“Excuse me, I’m sorry,” he said, choking back tears.

“This was a very difficult decision, and one that I think reflects the very best of who Joe Biden is,” he said, while taking deep breaths and trying to regain composure.

Over on CNN, political analyst Van Jones appeared extremely emotional as he spoke about Mr Biden’s move.

“Biden’s body may not be as strong as it once was … but his heart is as big as ever,” he said.

Meanwhile, MSNBC host Rachel Maddow, a fierce Donald Trump critic, gave a fiery speech, gushing: “What a man. What a patriot. What an act of selfless devotion to your country.”

Van Jones was extremely emotional live on air. Picture: Supplied

Rachel Maddow gushed on air about Joe Biden. Picture: X

US Senator and former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders thanked Mr Biden for his service: “Joe Biden has served our country with honour and dignity.”

“As the first president to ever walk on a picket line with striking workers, he has been the most pro-working class president in modern American history. Thank you, Mr. President, for all you’ve done.”

US Secretary of Transportation and potential Democratic vice president candidate Pete Buttigieg weighed in on Biden’s legacy: “Joe Biden has earned his place among the best and most consequential presidents in American history. I am so proud to serve under his leadership, and thankful for his unwavering focus on what is best for our country.”

US President Joe Biden and former US President Barack Obama. Picture: AFP

In a statement, former US President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton both endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris and pledged to do “whatever we can” to support her.

Barack Obama also heaped praise on Mr Biden: “Joe Biden has been one of America’s most consequential presidents, as well as a dear friend and partner to me.”

He did not endorse Ms Harris but added: “I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges.”

Joe Biden’s granddaughter Naomi Biden wrote: “I’m nothing but proud today of my Pop, our President, Joe Biden, who has served our country with every bit of his soul and with unmatched distinction.

“Not only has he been — and will continue to be — the most effective president of our lifetime, but he has likely already cemented himself as the most effective and impactful public servant in our nation’s history.

Republican Vice Presidential nominee US Senator JD Vance blasted Joe Biden. Picture: AFP/Getty Images

Republicans go on the attack

Former US President Donald Trump, the Republican candidate, stuck the boot in, calling Mr Biden the “single worst president by far.”

“Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve — And never was! He only attained the position of President by lies, Fake News, and not leaving his basement,” he wrote.

“All those around him, including his Doctor (sic) and the Media (sic), knew that he wasn’t capable of being President, and he wasn’t.

“We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly.”

JD Vance, who is joining Donald Trump as the vice presidential candidate on the Republican ticket, went on the attack calling Ms Harris a “failure”.

“Joe Biden has been the worst President in my lifetime and Kamala Harris has been right there with him every step of the way,” he wrote.

“Over the last four years she co-signed Biden’s open border and green scam policies that drove up the cost of housing and groceries. She owns all of these failures, and she lied for nearly four years about Biden’s mental capacity-saddling the nation with a president who can’t do the job.”

American right-wing political activist and author Matt Walsh was one of many Republican supporters calling for Joe Biden to resign immediately: “Every Republican needs to go on the record right now calling for Biden to be immediately removed from office,” he wrote.

“If he is not competent to run for re-election then he is not competent to remain in the White House.”

Journalist Piers Morgan echoed that sentiment: “If Biden’s unfit to stay in the presidential race, then surely he’s unfit to remain President too?” he mused.

Actor Mark Hamill thanked Mr Biden for his service. Picture: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Internet celebrity Imane Anys known professionally as Pokimane, joked she is "running for president". Picture: X

Celebrities react: ‘He restored honesty’

Celebrities in the US reacted to the news with a wave of support.

Filmmaker Jon Favreau called his move “courageous and selfless” and described Mr Biden as the “exact opposite” of Trump.

“He listened to the American people and put the country’s interests ahead of his own.”

Actress Barbra Streisand wrote: “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.”

Internet personality Imane Anys, known as Pokimane, got in on the action writing cheekily: “I’m running to be president”.

Star Wars actor Mark Hamill, who has been outspoken on politics, thanked Mr Biden for “honest, dignity and integrity”.

Locally, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wrote: “Thank you for your leadership and ongoing service President Biden. The Australia-US Alliance has never been stronger with our shared commitment to democratic values, international security, economic prosperity and climate action for this and future generations.”