Overview
White House and campaign aides to President Joe Biden were reportedly caught off guard when they learned through social media that he was ending his re-election bid and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination. This sudden announcement has sparked confusion and uncertainty among Biden’s team and supporters.
Why It Matters
The unexpected nature of Biden’s announcement raises questions about his leadership and decision-making, impacting voter confidence and the Democratic Party’s unity.
Who It Impacts
This situation affects Democratic campaign staff, delegates, and voters who are now faced with adjusting to a rapidly changing political landscape.
White House and campaign aides were taken by surprise when President Joe Biden announced his decision to end his re-election bid on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. According to a Democrat familiar with the situation, many found out about the decision through the tweet itself, sparking confusion and disbelief within Biden’s team. “We’re all finding out by tweet,” the source told POLITICO. “None of us understand what’s happening.”
Biden, 81, had previously insisted he would not drop out of the race, despite growing pressure from Democrats following a poor debate performance last month that raised concerns about his declining capabilities and electability. However, on Sunday, Biden made the abrupt announcement that he would cease his 2024 campaign to focus on completing his term. He later endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee. Harris quickly expressed her intent to win the nomination, underscoring her commitment to the party’s unity.
The suddenness of Biden’s decision was evident, as a campaign fundraising email for “Joe and Kamala” was sent just eight minutes after his announcement. This highlighted the lack of coordination and communication within his campaign. New York Times reporter Kenneth Vogel shared insights on X, illustrating the surprise felt by the campaign staff. “Campaign staff were still calling delegates 30 minutes before his announcement, pushing them to declare their support for Biden in the rollcall & on social media,” Vogel reported. One delegate, Nick Koenig, recounted being asked to commit to supporting Biden just before the announcement, describing the situation as “absolutely bonkers.”
To give a sense how much Biden's decision took his campaign by surprise …
Campaign staff were still calling delegates 30 minutes before his announcement, pushing them to declare their support for Biden in the rollcall & on social media, according to one delegate.
— Kenneth P. Vogel (@kenvogel) July 21, 2024
Biden’s announcement came through a letter posted on his personal account on X, which quickly amassed over 185 million views. The New York Times revealed that Biden had worked on the letter with adviser Steve Ricchetti and chief strategist Mike Donilon from Saturday afternoon into the night, keeping most of his staff in the dark until moments before the post went live.
Adding to the intrigue, X’s owner, tech billionaire Elon Musk, who recently endorsed Donald Trump for the presidency, was reported by The Wall Street Journal to have committed $45 million a month to a new super PAC supporting Trump. This revelation follows a turbulent week where Trump survived an assassination attempt during a rally in Pennsylvania, adding further drama to the already charged political atmosphere.
The abruptness of Biden’s decision to withdraw and endorse Harris raises significant questions about his leadership and the stability of the Democratic campaign. It underscores the need for clear communication and strategic planning as the party navigates this unexpected turn of events. The Democratic Party must now rally behind Harris and strategize effectively to present a unified front in the upcoming election.
