President Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he will be dropping out of the presidential race for re-election. In a letter to the public, Biden stated that he believes it is in the best interest of his party and the country for him to step aside and focus on fulfilling his duties as President for the remainder of his term.
Biden’s decision comes after facing pressure to withdraw following a disastrous debate performance in June. Even his supporters raised concerns about his ability to fulfill the duties of the office. Recently, CNN reported that Biden had softened his stance toward the idea of dropping out, indicating that he was becoming more receptive to the idea after resisting calls to consider it.
“He’s being receptive. Not as defiant as he is publicly,” a source told CNN. “He’s gone from saying, ‘Kamala can’t win’ to ‘Do you think Kamala can win?’ It’s still unclear where he’s going to land, but he seems to be listening.”
This report from CNN followed an interview that Biden did with BET, in which he expressed openness to stepping down if he were diagnosed with a medical condition. Hours after the interview was released, Biden was diagnosed with COVID and withdrew from the campaign trail.
As an 81-year-old president, Biden has faced challenges in quieting voices within his party who are pushing for his removal. Many are concerned that he may drag down Democratic candidates across the country. In recent discussions with Democrat governors, Biden expressed that his schedule from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. was taking too much out of him, and he needed to prioritize rest and sleep, avoid late events, and reduce his workload.
First Lady Jill Biden and Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, have reportedly assumed more control over the president’s affairs since the debate. They believe that some individuals in the White House cannot be trusted and may be sabotaging him. Hunter Biden has taken on the role of Biden’s gatekeeper, controlling access to his father.
There have been reports that Biden’s aides have aggressively responded to any Democrats who have raised questions about his mental fitness for office. During his first major interview following the debate, Biden refused to commit to taking a neurological exam when pressed by ABC News host George Stephanopoulos. Stephanopoulos himself later stated that he didn’t believe Biden could serve four more years.
Earlier this month, the White House confirmed that Biden has been evaluated by a Parkinson’s disease expert during his annual physical exams. Several doctors have publicly expressed their belief that Biden has the disease. A Democrat neurologist, Dr. Tom Pitts, stated in an interview with NBC News that Biden’s symptoms are consistent with Parkinson’s disease, such as his slow movement, low voice, shuffling gait, and loss of arm swing.
In conclusion, President Biden has made the decision to drop out of the presidential race. This move has been influenced by his performance during debate, concerns about his ability to fulfill the duties of the office, and his diagnosis of COVID. The 81-year-old president has faced pressure to step aside due to questions about his mental fitness.
