Breaking News: President Joe Biden Drops Out of 2024 Presidential Race, Endorses Kamala Harris as Democratic Nominee
WASHINGTON ― Americans woke up Monday to an upended presidential campaign after President Joe Biden dropped his troubled reelection bid and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor in the Democratic Party’s race to stop Donald Trump from regaining the White House.
Biden, 81, who faced a wellspring of pressure to leave the race after he appeared disoriented at a televised debate with Trump last month, passed the torch to Harris, who soon announced her bid for the party’s nomination. Behind the scenes, the Biden campaign machine switched gears to benefit the vice president.
Trump, 78, reckoned with a new November opponent, one almost 20 years his junior, as some Democratic donors celebrated what one called the “shot of adrenaline” Harris could bring to the pivotal race.
“Now we have to start all over again,” Trump complained in a Truth Social post Sunday evening.
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‘You think you just fell out of a coconut tree?’ Kamala Harris meme resurfaces after Biden drops out
“You think you just fell out of a coconut tree? You exist in the context of all in which you live and what came before you.”
No, that isn’t a quote from an ancient philosopher or a classic author. It’s from Kamala Harris.
As rumors swirled in recent weeks over Joe Biden’s ability to win and complete a second term in office, and following the recent news of him stepping down as the Democratic nominee, Harris (as well as the internet-famous coconut tree) has drawn increased interest in the political sphere as voters look to her as Biden’s potential replacement on the Democratic side of the ticket.
− Emily DeLetter
Harris celebrates student athletes at the White House
Harris on Monday spoke at an event celebrating college athletes, her first public appearance since Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential election.
NCAA Sports Day brings championship teams from the National Collegiate Athletic Association to the White House. Harris also spoke at the event in 2023, which saw more than 1,000 student athletes from nearly 50 teams, according to Harris’ remarks.
“Some of you have represented our nation on the international stage in world cups and world championships, and later this month six of you will represent our nation at the 2024 Olympics in Paris,” Harris said.
“When you play, you inspire people across our nation. You remind all of us what can be achieved with hard work and ambition,” she added.
− Marina Pitofsky
In first remarks since launching campaign, Kamala Harris pays tribute to Joe Biden, Beau Biden
In her first public remarks since she became the de facto presumptive Democratic nominee, Kamala Harris payed tribute to Joe Biden and his son, Beau Biden.
“Joe Biden’s legacy of accomplishment over the past three years is unmatched in modern history. In one term, he has already surpassed the legacy of most presidents who have served two terms in office,” Harris said during an NCAA event at the White House.
Said she first met Joe Biden through his son Beau Biden. Beau Biden was the attorney general of Delaware while Harris served in the same role in California. Beau Biden died from brain cancer in 2015.
“Back then, Beau would often tell me stories about his dad. He would talk about the kind of father and the kind of man that Joe Biden is,” Harris said. “The qualities that Beau revered in his father are the same qualities that I have seen every day in our president. His honesty, his integrity, his commitment to his faith and his family. His big heart and his deep love of our country.”
− Marina Pitofsky
Florida Democrats endorse Harris
Samuel Vilchez, chair of the Orange County Democratic Party in Florida, said in a press call Monday that the Florida Democratic National Committee is endorsing Harris.
“I’m thrilled to announce a unanimous endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris by the Florida Democratic National Committee members, all 15 of us, we have come together and a resounding show of unity and purpose to stand with (the) Vice President.”
− Sudiksha Kochi
Kamala Harris expected in Delaware Monday afternoon
Kamala Harris, who Joe Biden endorsed Sunday after announcing he will no longer seek reelection, is coming to Delaware, according to U.S. Sen. Tom Carper.
Harris is expected to arrive in New Castle County Monday afternoon, where she will meet with members of the Delaware delegation and go to Biden’s campaign headquarters in Wilmington, which is expected to transition to hers as she mounts her presidential campaign.
It’s unclear whether the president will be joining the meeting, as today is Day 5 of COVID isolation after he tested positive Thursday. He’s been in Rehoboth Beach battling his latest round of COVID and is expected to address the nation later this week regarding his decision to bow out of the presidential race.
− Isabel Hughes and Esteban Parra
Trump’s strategy (so far): Link Harris to Biden
The Trump campaign is making its opening bid in the new campaign against Harris: Linking her to Biden.
“Harris will be even WORSE for the people of our Nation than Joe Biden,” said a memo from Trump senior advisers Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita, describing the vice president as an “enabler” for Biden.
“They own each other’s records, and there is no distance between the two.”
− David Jackson
Inside KamalaHQ: How Harris quickly began plotting campaign after Biden’s shocking exit
Kamala Harris was at the vice president’s residence when she got the call from POTUS. President Joe Biden was ending his reelection campaign. And he was endorsing her.
Harris got to work immediately. Still in her Howard University hoodie, workout sweats and sneakers, she whipped up a statement. She placed calls to lawmakers, governors, civil rights leaders and union bosses.
Inside KamalaHQ: How Harris quickly began plotting campaign after Biden’s shocking exit
− Francesca Chambers and Rebecca Morin
How to pronounce Kamala Harris
Despite decades in the public spotlight, mispronunciations of the vice president’s name have not gone away. Several of her political opponents at the Republican National Convention last week called her “Camel-a,” “Kuh-MAHL-a,” or “Kuh-MEL-a” – none of which are correct.
It’s “COM-mah-la,” with emphasis on the first syllable. When pronounced correctly, the vice president’s name sounds like comma-la.
− Rachel Barber
UAW thanks Biden, says Trump did nothing as workers were ‘left for dead’
The United Auto Workers issued a statement Sunday reacting to Joe Biden’s announcement he would drop his reelection bid. The UAW, behind President Shawn Fain, endorsed Biden in the race, though Fain earlier this month expressed concern about Biden’s ability to defeat Donald Trump.
“Today, the United Auto Workers thanks President Joe Biden for his incredible term of service, and the leadership he has shown in putting country before self, once again, in passing the torch to a new generation,” the organization based in Detroit, Michigan, said in a statement.
− Detroit Free Press Staff
Mike Pence says Biden made right decision for country
Former Vice President Mike Pence said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter, that Biden made the “right decision” for the country in dropping out and thanked him for “putting the interests of our Nation ahead of his own.”
“After the assassination attempt on President Trump and President Biden’s decision to end his campaign, now is a time for leaders in both parties to project calm and send a message of strength and resolve to America’s friends and enemies alike that, whatever the state of our politics, the American people are strong and our American military stands ready to defend our freedom and our vital national interests anywhere in the world,” he added.
− Sudiksha Kochi
Minnesota governor backs Harris nomination
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz endorsed Harris’ bid for the Democratic presidential nomination in a post to X Monday.
“Thanks for the call,” Walz wrote. “You have my full support. Let’s go win this thing.”
Walz has served as governor since 2019 and is also chair of the Democratic Governors Association.
− Savannah Kuchar
Gretchen Whitmer endorses Kamala Harris
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer endorsed Kamala Harris on Monday, telling voters in the Democratic swing state “let’s get to work.”
“In Vice President Harris, Michigan voters have a presidential candidate they can count on to focus on lowering their costs, restoring their freedoms, bringing jobs and supply chains back home from overseas, and building an economy that works for working people,” Whitmer said, calling Harris a “stark contrast to Donald Trump.”
− Marina Pitofsky
Will Joe Biden speak at the Democratic convention?
Yes, Biden is expected to speak at the DNC next month, a senior Democratic official confirmed to USA TODAY.
“I can assure you that Joe Biden is our North star,” the official said.
− Susan Page
Illinois Gov. Pritzker endorses Harris
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, often mentioned as a possible presidential contender, has joined the growing chorus of Democrats backing Harris.
“I am proud to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for president of the United States,” Pritzker said in a statement released Monday.
Pritzker said Harris has proven at every point in her career that she possesses the “skills, strength and character to lead this country” and that she has the vision “to better the lives of all Americans.”
“She represents our party’s best chance to defeat Donald Trump in November, and I will work my heart out to help her do that,” he said.
−Michael Collins
Donations surge with Biden exit, Harris launch
ActBlue, the Democratic fundraising platform, raised almost $50 million hours after President Biden announced an end to his reelection bid.
“This has been the biggest fundraising day of the 2024 cycle,” the nonprofit said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
The $46.7 donation haul includes the total amount donated to the nonprofit, not just to Harris’ campaign.
− Savannah Kuchar and Julia Gomez
Kamala Harris’ campaign is embracing the memes, ‘Brat’ summer
Harris’ campaign already launched their response team on X, formerly Twitter – and they’re fully embracing brat summer.
The header image on the page is a neon green background reading “kamala hq,” in the style of “Brat,” the 2024 album released by the singer Charli XCX that has led to what people are calling a “brat summer.”
Charli XCX, who is British, acknowledged Harris’ jump into the race and seemingly endorsed her candidacy Sunday, posting “kamala IS brat.”
− Sudiksha Kochi and Emily DeLetter
Wes Moore endorses Harris
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore is among the latest to back Kamala Harris.
“Vice President Harris has the experience, record, vision, and wisdom to unify the country,” Moore said in a statement Monday. “She will have the unique ability to energize the Democratic Party base and mobilize a unique coalition, and we must rally around her and elect her to serve as the next President of the United States.”
Moore, a rising star in the party since winning election in 2022, told CBS last month he would not seek the presidential nomination himself. On the rumored list for Harris’ running mate, Moore said he had “lengthy conversations” with both her and Biden Sunday.
− Savannah Kuchar
House Democratic campaign chair endorses Harris
Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., chair of Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, House Democrats’ campaign arm, endorsed Harris on Monday morning as scores of top Democratic lawmakers come out in support of the vice president’s campaign.
“To continue to move our nation forward and fulfill the promise of the American dream for everyone, it’s absolutely essential we return the House majority to Democrats and together with President Kamala Harris, we’ll deliver real results for working families and everyday Americans,” Delbene said in a statement.
− Ken Tran
Who is Kamala Harris’ husband, Doug Emhoff?
Kamala Harris’ husband, Doug Emhoff, is an American lawyer. He quit his law practice in 2020 to take on the responsibilities of his new role as second gentleman.
Emhoff and Harris met on a blind date in 2013 after being set up by a friend and married the following year. Harris became “Momala” to his two children, Cole, 26, and Ella, 21, from his first marriage.
Emhoff traveled to key battleground states to campaign for Biden and Harris before the president dropped out of the race. He’s also the first Jewish spouse of a vice president.
− Sudiksha Kochi
What’s next for the upcoming presidential debate?
Joe Biden’s announcement that he will not seek another term has cast uncertainty on yet another facet of the election year: The upcoming presidential debate.
Back in May, ABC News announced that a debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden was scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 9 p.m. ET. But with Biden exiting the race Sunday and endorsing Kamala Harris, the debate schedule may not go on as planned.
In a Truth Social post on Sunday evening, Trump called for Fox News to host the debate, rather than “Fake News ABC.”
“Now that Joe has, not surprisingly, has quit the race, I think the Debate, with whomever the Radical Left Democrats choose, should be held on FoxNews, rather than very biased ABC,” he wrote.
ABC News has not issued an update on the debate schedule.
− Maya Homan
As Biden leaves 2024 election, Trump and Democrats need to court these 10 voter groups
President Joe Biden’s announcement Sunday that he’s dropping out and backing Vice President Kamala Harris shakes up the 2024 presidential election in many ways. Perhaps most significantly: Biden’s decision could bring millions more voters to the polls, according to a new analysis of the U.S. electorate.
Resonate, a consumer data and intelligence company, released exclusively to USA TODAY a new set of 10 distinct voter groups. From its database of 250 million Americans, the 10 groups emerged as company’s AI data engine culled and matched thousands of U.S. voter attributes.
Ericka McCoy, chief marketing officer for Resonate, predicted Friday that a new Democratic nominee would likely reenergize Gen-Z Zealots, based on insights from these groups. They’re the largest of the 10 groups, which include younger, independent voters who advocate for environmental regulations and LGBTQ+ rights.
More: As Biden leaves 2024 election, Trump and Democrats need to court these 10 voter groups
− Jim Sergent and Veronica Bravo
US allies react to Joe Biden dropping out of 2024 election race
Praise, acknowledgment it was a difficult decision, maybe a little relief.
These were some of the reactions from world leaders and officials to Joe Biden’s Sunday announcement that he was dropping out of the presidential race. Biden had been under intense pressure to step aside after a poor performance in a June debate against former President Donald Trump that highlighted concerns about his age.
While diplomatic protocol tends to limit what American allies will say in public about an active U.S. election, many international officials applauded what Biden had, in their view, done to give new energy to the NATO military alliance, his administration’s support for Ukraine and for democratic principles around the world.
− Kim Hjelmgaard
Biden news leaves some voters feeling panicked. If you’re stressed, read this.
After weeks of speculation, President Joe Biden ended his bid for reelection. It’s a move many voters have called for on social media and around their dinner tables. Yet, the news that Biden was dropping out had many expressing anxiety and nerves, rather than relief.
“I’m so nervous now,” one commenter wrote Sunday beneath an @UnderTheDeskNews summary of day’s events. “Very scary times. I have no words. I’m shaking,” another added.
Experts say the ups and downs of the political world can cause serious stress for people who feel like all they can do is watch helplessly. “We’re in a state of flux, and brains really don’t like ambiguity,” psychotherapist Stephanie Sarkis says. “They like knowing what to expect, and so this one more thing that
