Jill Biden posts emotional tribute to husband after he withdraws from presidential race

Jill Biden has paid tribute to her husband on social media after he sensationally withdrew from the presidential race on Sunday.

Jill Biden has paid tribute to her husband after he withdrew from the presidential race on Sunday.

Releasing a statement on Sunday, Mr Biden said he believed it was in the “best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling the duties as President for the remainder of my term”.

He posted the statement to X, with his wife retweeting it with two heart emojis.

Jill Biden retweeted her husband's statement on Sunday.

Media figures, Democratic operatives and an ever-increasing number of elected politicians, including the party’s senior most leaders, called for Mr Biden’s exit from the campaign in recent weeks, believing him incapable of winning the general election on November 5.

The 81-year-old’s decision to withdraw comes after, and largely because of, his halting performance in a televised debate against Mr Trump on June 27, which reinforced existing concerns about his age and mental acuity, and sparked a sense of “panic” inside the Democratic Party.

Previously Mr Biden had been defiant in the face of calls for him to step down.

Mr Biden spent the immediate aftermath of his catastrophic debate performance privately considering his position, including during a meeting with family members at the presidential retreat, Camp David, on June 30.

The First Lady encouraged Mr Biden to stay in the race after his disastrous debate against Donald Trump. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / POOL / AFP)

According to media reports, Dr Biden, the President’s son Hunter and multiple grandchildren offered their support, telling Mr Biden he should remain in the race.

They reportedly discussed the possibility of adjusting Mr Biden’s staff, implicitly blaming his advisers for the poor debate.

But the damage was done. Mr Biden’s halting demeanour on stage, viewed by tens of millions of American voters, saw him stumble over his words, appear confused at times, and repeatedly struggle to form a coherent argument for his re-election.

By contrast, Mr Trump was relatively disciplined and cogent, by his standards.

On the night of the debate, after he had left the stage, Mr Biden appeared at a watch party with his wife, Dr Biden, who heaped praise on his performance. But in the eyes of many viewers, she only infantilised him in the process.

“Joe, you did such a great job, answering every question. You knew all the facts,” said Dr Biden, in a tone reminiscent of the one she’d use in her job as a teacher.