Too old, too unfit, polls too bad – and increasing resistance within his own party: Now the US President is drawing the consequences and dropping out of the race against Donald Trump.
You can also read all developments after Joe Biden’s withdrawal in our live blog
US President Joe Biden no longer wants to run for a second term in November. The Democrat announced his withdrawal from the presidential race via social media Instagram, Facebook and X. In recent weeks, the 81-year-old has come under massive pressure from his own party because of his age and mental state. Biden’s withdrawal so shortly before the election is a dramatic turnaround and is causing further chaos in an already historic US election year.
“While it was my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country that I step aside and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term,” the Democrat wrote in a written statement. “I will speak to the nation in more detail about my decision later this week.”
Biden came under extreme criticism after a disastrous performance in a televised debate against former President Trump at the end of June. During the exchange, the most powerful man in the world regularly stumbled over his words, lost his thread, stared into space with his mouth open and was often unable to finish his sentences properly. There had already been reservations within the Democratic Party and among the population about Biden’s re-election ambitions because of his age. But after the debate, the debate about Biden’s suitability as the Democratic presidential candidate flared up on a whole new scale – and in public.
After the debate, Biden’s poll ratings had deteriorated significantly. And in his own party, one after another dared to publicly demand Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential race. The president himself initially tried to talk his way out of it. He explained his weak performance by saying he was tired after strenuous trips abroad. He said he had not listened to his advisors and had overdone it. At various appearances, he was defiant and assured time and again that he would not withdraw. But more blunders followed. And in the end, the pressure from his own ranks became too great.
In recent days, Biden had retreated to his private home in Rehoboth, Delaware, after being infected with the coronavirus, and had not attended any public events. During his forced break, he now decided to bow to pressure from his party colleagues.
Democrats face mammoth task
The Democrats now have to change course in the shortest possible time and arrange a successor. After announcing his withdrawal, Biden proposed his deputy Kamala Harris, who has increasingly come into focus in recent weeks. The 59-year-old had so far remained indifferent in her vice-presidential office at Biden’s side, but in view of his weakness she recently received the support of a whole series of important party members. The Democrats will officially nominate their presidential candidate at a party convention in Chicago in mid-August.
The Republicans have already officially chosen their presidential candidate, Donald Trump, at a nominating convention in Milwaukee. Until recently, Biden had repeatedly claimed that he was the only one who could beat Trump.
An election year like no other
Even before this greatest possible complication, this US election year was one that stood out on all levels, especially with regard to the Republican candidate. With Trump, a convicted criminal is running for the highest office in the state. The Republican is the first ex-president of the United States to be found guilty in a criminal case – for concealing a hush money payment to a porn actress. This has not harmed the 78-year-old in the election campaign so far. There are other criminal proceedings against him – but these cases are unlikely to go to trial before election day.
The most recent US election year in 2020 was already chaotic. Trump did not accept his election defeat against Biden at the time, but tried to reverse the election result using drastic means. His campaign culminated in a violent attack by his supporters on the US Capitol in which several people were killed.
