President Joe Biden has announced his withdrawal from the 2024 Presidential Election campaign, sparking immediate criticism from former President Donald Trump.
Shortly after Biden’s decision was made public, Trump took to Truth Social to express his scathing views on the current administration. In a series of posts, Trump labelled Biden as “not fit to run for President” and criticized his presidency sharply.
Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve – And never was!” Trump wrote. He accused Biden of obtaining the presidency through deceit and claimed that many surrounding him were aware of his inadequacies.
Trump’s remarks extended to Biden’s handling of the southern border, which he described as a major failure. Look what he’s done to our Country, with millions of people coming across our Border, totally unchecked and unvetted,” Trump stated. He further asserted that Biden’s presidency would lead to significant suffering for the nation, though he promised that the damage would be rectified quickly under his own leadership.
Additionally, Trump spoke to CNN shortly after Biden’s announcement, asserting that Biden is “the worst president in the history of our country.” Trump suggested that Vice President Kamala Harris would be a more vulnerable opponent and expressed confidence in his ability to win against her if she were to become the Democratic nominee.
Trump Campaign Capitalizes on Biden’s Exit
The Trump campaign swiftly capitalized on Biden’s exit by sending out a fundraising email titled “Biden just suspended his campaign.” This email, consistent with Trump’s rhetoric, criticized Biden’s administration and sought donations by emphasizing grievances such as the FBI’s actions and perceived injustices in the legal system.
Political Reactions and Future Implications
Reactions from politicians quickly began pouring in. California Gov. Gavin Newsom wrote in a post on X that Biden “has been an extraordinary, history-making president — a leader who has fought hard for working people and delivered astonishing results for all Americans.” Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer called Biden a “great public servant” in a post to X.
Across the aisle, Republicans slammed the move and many called on him to resign his office, days after the completion of a Republican National Convention where speaker after speaker criticized the Biden-Harris ticket.
“If Joe Biden is not fit to run for president, he is not fit to serve as President. He must resign the office immediately,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson.
An Unprecedented Decision
Biden’s decision to exit the race less than a month before his party’s convention and a few months before voters head to the polls is unprecedented in the modern political era. The last sitting president to abandon a re-election bid was Lyndon Johnson in March 1968, eight months before that election.
Replacing Biden atop the Democratic ticket is likely to set off internal Democratic tremors as ambitious officials maneuver to become his successor. Factions have already formed around Harris, Whitmer, and Newsom.
Harris, the first female vice president and a woman of color, enjoys strong support among African Americans, a loyal piece of the Democratic coalition. However, her overall approval rating stood at only 32% in an NBC News poll released earlier this month.
Biden’s departure is the latest in a series of jarring developments that has made the 2024 presidential race the most chaotic in living memory. Trump easily won the Republican presidential nomination despite splitting his time between the campaign trail and various courtrooms where he was a defendant in criminal and civil cases. In May, a jury in Manhattan convicted him on 34 felony counts related to hush money payments to a porn star.
Trump’s recent statements underscore his aggressive strategy as he positions himself for a potential rematch in November.
