After withdrawing from the 2024 election, US President Joe Biden made his first public remarks during a campaign staff meeting in Delaware on Monday, as his team began to back Vice-President Kamala Harris for the presidency.
While under quarantine after testing positive for Covid-19, he expressed his gratitude to his aides and urged them to support Ms. Harris, describing her as “the best.”
Biden addressed the staff, saying, “I know yesterday’s news was surprising and tough to hear, but stepping aside was the correct decision.”
One day after Mr. Biden withdrew from the presidential race and endorsed his vice-president as his successor, Ms. Harris and her team convened at the campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware.
Following his endorsement, Ms. Harris’s campaign saw a significant influx of donations and substantial backing from key Democrats supporting her as the Democratic nominee.
For weeks, Mr. Biden had faced growing public calls to withdraw due to doubts about his re-election prospects, exacerbated by a lackluster debate performance against Republican Donald Trump.
During a call with campaign staff on Monday, Mr. Biden recognized their dedication and effort in his re-election bid but reassured them, “I’m not going anywhere” and promised to stay actively involved in the campaign.
He encouraged the team, “I’m hoping you’ll give every bit of your heart and soul that you gave to me to Kamala.”
“We still need to save this democracy,” he said. “Trump is still a danger to this nation.”
Following Mr. Biden’s speech, Ms. Harris took the stage at the campaign headquarters and highlighted Mr. Biden’s achievements, expressing that serving as his vice-president was “one of the greatest honors of my life.”
Ms. Harris acknowledged the emotional roller coaster the team had experienced, adding, “I love Joe Biden, and I know we all do.” She committed to striving diligently to secure the nomination and to unify both the party and the nation.
With 106 days until the election, she rallied the campaign staff, emphasizing the need for hard work.
Ms. Harris shared her vision for the country’s future and her distinct campaign strategies compared to Trump’s, confidently stating her readiness to compare her record against his.
“Our campaign has always been about two different versions of what we see as the future of our country,” she said. “One focuses on the future, the other focuses on the past. Donald Trump wants to take our country backwards… We believe in a brighter future that makes room for all Americans.”
Mr. Biden is scheduled to return to the White House on Tuesday afternoon after his isolation period in Delaware.
