President Biden quits his presidential race

NEW YORK: US President Joe Biden has dropped out of the 2024 Presidential race for the White House. 

With this decision, his re-election bid has ended.

His decision came following a disastrous debate with Donald Trump that raised doubts about his fitness for office just four months before the election.

"It has been the greatest honour of my life to serve as your President. And 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,” says Biden in his statement issued at the X on Sunday.  

"I will speak to the nation later this week in more detail about my decision.

"For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me re-elected.”

Stating the progress his administration made so far, President Biden said today, America has the strongest economy in the world and made historic investments in rebuilding the nation, in lowering prescription drug costs for seniors, and in expanding affordable health care to a record number of Americans.

He said his government 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. 

"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.”

Biden endorsed vice-president Kamala Harris to take on Trump and encouraged his party to unite behind her. He, however, plans to continue with the remainder of his term, which ends on January 20, 2025.

He thanked Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all the work and expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the American people for the faith and trust they have placed in him.

"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."

Former President Barack Obama also praised the decision of Biden issuing a statement on X highlighting the major achievements of the Biden administration. 

“Joe understands better than anyone the stakes in this election– how everything he has fought for throughout his life, and everything that the Democratic Party stands for, will be at risk if we allow Donald Trump back in the White House and give Republicans control of Congress,” Obama said.