US Presidential Race: Joe Biden quits re-election bid, endorses Kamala Harris; says it’s time to beat Donald Trump

US President Joe Biden on Sunday dropped out of the 2024 race for the White House, and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him as the Democratic Party’s new nominee.

Biden said that it was in the best interest of his party and the country for him to stand down.

The decision to drop out of the race comes amid doubts about his fitness for office after a disastrous debate with Donald Trump. Only four days before Sunday's announcement, Biden was diagnosed with COVID-19.

After posting a letter on X announcing his decision, Biden made another post and endorsed Kamala Harris to run for the top position.

“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 decision I’ve made. Today 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,” said Biden in a post on X.

In a letter, Joe Biden said that it has been the greatest honor of his life to serve as President and added, “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 my term.”

Biden said that he will speak to the nation later this week in more detail about his decision.

Stating that over the past three and a half years, we have made great progress as a nation, Biden added, “Today, America has the strongest economy in the world. We've made historic investments in rebuilding our nation, in lowering prescription drug costs for seniors, and in expanding affordable health care to a record number of Americans. We've provided critically needed care to a million veterans exposed to toxic substances. Passed the first gun safety law in 30 years. Appointed the first African American woman to the Supreme Court. And passed the most significant climate legislation in the history of the world. America has never been better positioned to lead than we are today.”

“I know none of this could have been done without you, the American people. Together, we overcame a once in a century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. We've protected and preserved our democracy. And we've revitalized and strengthened our alliances around the world,” said Biden in a letter addressed to fellow Americans.

Expressing deepest gratitude to all those who have worked hard to see him re-elected, Biden said, “I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work. And let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me.”

“I believe today what I always have: that there is nothing America can't do - when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America.”